Secure Satellite Tasking via Intermediary Operations Center
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commercial tasking solutions use unsecure networks vulnerable to cyber-attacks, posing challenges for securely transporting and sending sensitive tasking data.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for secure data tasking and receipt using a secure remote browser/VPN and an API, which assigns a randomly generated security tag to tasking orders, ensuring encrypted and anonymous data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercial tasking solutions use unsecure networks, then data transmission is simpler and more accessible, but data security and integrity deteriorate due to vulnerability to cyber-attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an operations center as an intermediary between clients and satellites. The operations center receives tasking orders through secure channels, processes them, and sends instructions to satellites. This intermediary layer protects the core system from direct exposure to unsecure networks while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct segments: client systems, operations center, and satellite systems. Each segment has specific security requirements and can be protected independently. The operations center acts as a buffered zone that handles security protocols while allowing other segments to focus on their primary functions.
2Reliability
If encryption and security tags are implemented, then data security improves, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
Security tags are assigned to client IDs in advance and stored in the operations center database. When a tasking order arrives, the system performs a quick lookup of the pre-assigned security tag rather than generating or verifying complex encryption keys in real-time. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces processing time while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fixed-length security tags with a predetermined number of randomly generated characters. This standardization allows for efficient storage and comparison operations. The security tag structure is optimized to balance security strength with processing efficiency, using parameters that provide adequate security without excessive computational overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present technology relate to satellite tasking systems and methods. More specifically, embodiments include an operations center configured to receive a tasking order from a client and to generate satellite instructions for the satellite based on the tasking order. In some examples, a security tag is generated and associated with the tasking order. The security tag is correlated with the client on a remote server.