eClypse: Onboard, Tamper-Proof Cyber Security Intrusion Detection for Satellites with Ground Segment Telemetry

Satellites are an essential part of our critical infrastructure, providing services such as navigation, communication and Earth Observation. Recent cybersecurity challenges in the telecom supply chain and a rising number of criminal and state-sponsored actors are seeking to disrupt communications demonstrate: There is no secure communications infrastructure without adequate cyber defences.

DISC has developed a hardware-based intrusion detection module for satellites called eClypse. It requires no processing or storage resources on the satellite and cannot be manipulated by an attacker. The development of this TRL6 prototype was supported by innovation funding from the Canadian Department of National Defence. It has been proven in a Magellan Aerospace laboratory and, as a result of our development and security design process, can be integrated into any satellite platform.

The next step for DISC is to create a secure satellite prototype ready for a space mission. This will take eClypse to TRL8, ready for a subsequent mission at TRL9.

Benefits

• Enhanced cyber-security and privacy for all users of satellite services
• Can be integrated into any satellite platform
• Enables platform operators to continuously monitor the internal security status of their platform
• Does not require processing or storage resources
• Hardware-based approach enables protection against remote tampering by 3rd party actors