Cyber Resilience

On 27 May 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) took an important step in ensuring the continued security of its critical infrastructure with the inauguration of a new Cyber Security Operations Centre (C-SOC) at its European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Germany.The new C-SOC will monitor and protect ESA’s digital assets – from satellites in space to ground stations and mission control systems on Earth. The initiative comes as space infrastructure becomes increasingly integral to Europe's economy and society, and as cyber threats grow more sophisticated.

Staying safe from cyberattacks that target vital services such as power supplies is increasingly important in today’s digital world. ESA is supporting European autonomy to keep people connected by working with satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space to develop highly secure technologies based on the unbreakable laws of quantum physics.

From checking the weather app to using satnav, our everyday lives are surrounded by satellite information. However, satellites can be helpful beyond mundane activities. Rescuers, for example, can use satellite data to tackle natural disasters and manage emergency situations.As with any other technological infrastructure, satellites are, however, at the mercy of cyber-attacks. Following October’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we take a look at cybersecurity and what ESA is doing to avoid hacks and safeguard disaster management services.

ESA is creating a new centre for cyber-security which will safeguard all Agency systems against outside interference, extending from ESA infrastructure around the globe to satellites in orbit.