As Singapore launches its National Space Agency, the city-state’s ambitions in the booming space economy confront a stark reality: much of the satellite infrastructure supporting navigation, emergency response, and financial services was built without cybersecurity in mind.
David Koh, CEO of the Cyber Security Agency, warns that vulnerabilities span the entire space value chain, from satellites to ground networks. The February 2022 KA-SAT cyberattack illustrated the spillover risks, disrupting communications and energy networks across Europe.
Experts highlight that private operators expanding non-terrestrial networks add complexity to the growing attack surface. Singapore is responding with a cybersecurity-by-design strategy, embedding protection in satellites, ground stations, and operational systems from the outset.
Multi-agency coordination, international norms, and public-private partnerships are central to this effort. Leaders emphasize that strong collaboration is essential to ensure space remains secure, resilient, and trusted, protecting both national and global digital ecosystems as the space economy expands toward USD 1.8 trillion by 2035.
