All of the key areas of satellite systems, including the management of the space and ground segments, TT&C functions, uplink and downlink transmissions, and network performance are vulnerable to attack if not carefully and methodically safeguarded. In the satellite domain, where vulnerability is shared among a variety of systems, operators must adopt strategic preemptive strategies to remain ahead of potentially destructive attacks. What are the most looming vulnerabilities in satellite network architecture today and what technologies should be implemented to mitigate those risks? What are the roles of the manufacturer, operator and integrator on any given architecture to provide security systems and support? What changes in the satellite operational environment pose significant risks going forward and how can those risks be lessened?
Nathan de Ruiter
Nathan de Ruiter is the Managing Director at Euroconsult Canada. Since joining Euroconsult in 2011, he has advised a wide range of international clients including satellite operators, manufacturers, equipment providers and financial institutions. Nathan’s key interests revolve around high throughput satellites, NGSO constellations and satellite broadband services. In his position as Managing Director, Nathan plays an integral role in contributing to the successful execution of client engagements through the development of project management, quality assurance and professional consulting and research methodologies.
Over the last eight years, Nathan has managed and contributed to more than 50 consulting missions for satellite operators, ground network providers, satellite manufacturers and financial institutions. His specialty lies in commercial due diligence, market analysis, financial forecasting and strategic planning.
Missions under his leadership include:
Nathan is also the Editor of Euroconsult’s research reports on satellite communications such as Satellite Communications & Broadcasting Markets Survey, FSS Operators Profiles and High Throughput Satellites report. In addition, he leads executive workshops in the satellite communication domain.
Prior to Euroconsult, Nathan was Senior Manager at S.M. International Financial Advisory, a boutique advisory firm dedicated to the infrastructure sector. Nathan also worked at seed capital firm Neotech Capital, which invests in new media and telecom start-ups. In this management role, Nathan assessed business plans and developed commercialization strategies for multiple technology start-ups. Nathan holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, The Netherlands with a dual major in Strategic Management and Innovation Management.
Bruno Huttner
Bruno Huttner is the Director of Strategic Quantum Initiatives and a Quantum Key Distribution Expert at ID Quantique. He is also the co-chairman of the Quantum-Safe Security Working Group (QSS WG) organized by the Cloud Security Alliance. The QSS WG has been formed to address key generation and transmission methods and to help the industry understand quantum‐safe methods for protecting their networks and their data.
Bruno joined ID Quantique in 2014, participating in business development and product management in the Quantum Security division, which develops next-generation encryption, and especially quantum key distribution systems. These systems are designed to be safe against the power of quantum computers, which threaten conventional encryption methods. He then started the space programs, aiming at developing quantum key distribution globally, using satellites.
Bryan Kerns
Bryan Kerns joined AvL Technologies in 2010 as Director of Major Accounts, and he now serves as the company’s Director of Strategic Business Development and Information Technology. Prior to joining AvL, Bryan was an AvL customer at companies including GTSI, Verizon Business, LBiSat and Harris CapRock Communications. He began his career serving six years in the U.S. Air Force as a Communications Officer. With more than 23 years of experience in satellite communications (SATCOM), Bryan has authored numerous articles and spoken about the use of satellites to communications and disaster planners from agencies including Army, Air Force Space and Missile Defense Commands, Defense Information Systems Agency, White House Communications Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Bryan is a founding Key group member of the Asheville, North Carolina, chapter of Vistage International. He has a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and a certificate in Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School.
Brad Kizzort
Mr. Brad Kizzort has been designing and developing spacecraft monitoring and control systems for over 30 years. He has been a key ground system architect for some of the largest commercial and defense satellite fleets and constellations, including GPS, Iridium, and Telesat. Cybersecurity requirements play an increasing role in ground system development, especially with satellites in critical infrastructure and corporate asset roles satellites.
Brad is currently the Chief Technologist for Peraton’s OS/COMET software product and is responsible for ensuring that OS/COMET evolves to meet future requirements for spacecraft monitoring and control.
For the past 12 years, he has also served as chair of the Object Management Group’s Space Domain Task Force, soliciting, developing, and promoting space industry specifications for software interoperability. These specifications pave the way for lower-cost space systems that are rapidly developed, maintainable, and secure.
David Mitlyng
David Mitlyng is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at SpeQtral, a quantum communications startup offering ultra-secure communications based on the laws of quantum physics. David has 25 years of experience in the satellite industry, including Hughes Space and Communications, Orbital ATK, SSL, and BridgeSat. David has a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Cal Poly SLO, an MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University, and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.