The Cyber-Safe Gateway : Unlocking Scotland's Space Cybersecurity Potential

Lemac-Vincere, Sharon (2024) The Cyber-Safe Gateway : Unlocking Scotland's Space Cybersecurity Potential. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

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Abstract

The Cyber Safe Gateway: Unlocking Scotland’s Space-Cyber Potential outlines a bold and transformative strategy for Scotland to seize leadership in the global space economy by focusing on one critical enabler: cybersecurity. With the global space economy projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2040, and the rapid expansion of space-based infrastructure, securing these assets is not a future challenge but an urgent, present-day necessity. This report addresses head-on the existing skills shortages, underinvestment, and evolving threats that could undermine Scotland’s ambitions in the space sector. The skills gap in both space and cybersecurity is not a looming crisis but a pressing reality. Cybercriminals, state actors, and rogue entities are already targeting satellites, space stations, and communication networks. The vulnerabilities exposed by outdated, unsecured systems are too great to ignore, and the economic risks are immense. What is unique about this report is its integrated approach: The Cyber Safe Gateway does not just identify problems—it proposes concrete, actionable steps to align Scotland’s strengths in cybersecurity, satellite manufacturing, fintech, and artificial intelligence with the needs of the global space economy. Scotland has a unique window of opportunity. This report lays out how, by leveraging existing expertise, fostering cutting-edge innovation, and addressing the critical workforce shortfalls through specialised education and partnerships, Scotland can become a global leader in space cybersecurity. The stakes are incredibly high. The unchecked exploitation of space assets poses risks not just to Scotland but to global security and economic stability. Space systems underpin critical services, from global finance to communications, and a single cyberattack could have cascading effects that destabilise entire industries. This report argues that the only way forward is proactive, visionary leadership, with Scotland positioned to shape the future of secure space operations. Through immediate investment and long-term planning, The Cyber Safe Gateway outlines a path for Scotland to unlock its full potential at the intersection of space and cybersecurity, ensuring it is not just a participant but a leader in the new space race.

Persistent Identifier

https://doi.org/10.17868/strath.00090919
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)