Apply now for the 2024 edition of ESA Academy’s Cybersecurity Training Course

Europe's cyber environment

The array of 'space systems' in Europe, encompassing satellites, telecommunication networks, data relay, navigation, and more, stands as a pivotal connection in our modern, interlinked societies.

The information and data generated, controlled, and shared by ESA and its Member States hold paramount significance for Europe's economic and civil security.

The proliferation and complexity of cyber-threats continue to escalate and impacts space-related infrastructures. For example, in February 2022, a cyberattack on commercial satellite services in Ukraine caused electricity-generating wind farms to shut down across central Europe.

ESA remains dedicated to safeguarding its space assets as well as those belonging to its partners and Member States. This commitment involves continuous efforts in cyber-resilience, including initiatives like ESA’s Cyber Centre of Excellence and the Cyber Security Operations Centre. 

However, the recruitment and retention of talent remain a significant challenge in maintaining cyber resilience. The gap between the supply and demand for cybersecurity experts was approximated at 2.27 million jobs in 2021.

A New Training Opportunity for Students

That is why ESA Academy, following the guidelines of the Space for Education 2030, is implementing this new Cybersecurity Training Course.

In this training session, students will explore an introductory course that delves into cybersecurity threats and risks, specifically tailored to the space sector. This will be followed by an immersion in security engineering for space systems that prioritize cyber protection, alongside operational risk management for cybersecurity. Notably, students will acquire hands-on experience in securing space communication systems and develop an understanding of overall cybersecurity monitoring and mitigation against threats.

Students participating in the Cybersecurity Training Course 2024 will be evaluated based on their group work throughout the week and the final presentation. Upon completion of the training course students will receive a certificate of participation and a course transcript, allowing them to request ECTS credit(s) from their respective universities.

Preliminary schedule:

Day 1:	Welcome and Introduction ESA & ESA Education Programme Security Primer Introduction to Cyber-Security Cyber-Security Risk Management for Space Systems
Day 2:	Meet the Adversary Applied Cyber-Security Risk Management Introduction to Security Architecture and Design Cyber-Security Resources
Day 3:	Adversaries Tactics, Techniques, and Mitigations for Space A 101-Introduction to Applied Cryptography CCSDS Space Protocols Security on CCSDS Hands-On Exercises on the Security of Space Communication Protocols
Day 4:	RF Communications Introduction RF Communications Applied to Space Systems RF Attacks and Jamming to Space Systems and Mitigations RF Technologies and Software Defined Radio Hands-On Exercises on Software Defined Radio
Day 5:	Visit of the ESEC-Redu site SCCoE Tour and demonstration CSOC Tour and Demonstration Group Projects Presentations

Who can apply?

To participate, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application:

• be aged minimum 18 years old. ESA Academy and relevant partners will only appraise applications from students who have no or limited professional experience in relevant engineering or space-related topics;
• be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Canada*, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia or Slovenia ;
• be enrolled as a BSc or MSc student in a university or be studying for an engineering degree (not graduating before the training course);
• have a basic knowledge of computer science and digital communication systems.

Selected students will be requested to attend the entire 5-day training course at ESEC-Galaxia. They will be sponsored by ESA to cover accommodation and meal expenses, as well as up to 300 euros for travelling to Belgium.

How to apply:

• Fill in the application form;
• Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images);
• Upload a CV (Europass format, PDF, maximum 2 pages, no images);
• Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no images) from a university professor or academic supervisor of current university (if it is not possible to receive the recommendation letter from your referee, please ask them to send a recommendation email to tlp@esa.int before the application deadline);

• Upload a copy of your Transcript of Grades from the two previous semesters, or, if not available, the previous graded academic year (PDF). 

All answers and documents should be in English (Transcript of Grades can be submitted in language of hosting university, if unavailable in English).

*Canadian students enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution may apply for additional support from the Canadian Space Agency through this Announcement of Opportunity (grant applications should be submitted at least 7 weeks before the course delivery and account creation 3 weeks before the submission deadline – create an account soon!). This additional support is to cover costs that are not already covered by ESA for selected Canadian post-secondary students.

The deadline for applications is 12 February 2024 23:59 CET.

For more information, please contact tlp@esa.int.