Application of the Hybrid Satellite Network Cybersecurity Framework Profile: An Example Implementation of NIST IR 8441

Published

February 23, 2024

Author(s)

Frederick R. Byers, Dan Mamula, Karri Meldorf, Joseph Brule, Rory Jennings, John Wiltberger, Eugene Craft, John Dombrowski, O’Ryan Lattin, Abdul Noor, Matt Yetto, Aliaksander Mamonau, Oksana Slivina, Jay Sharma, Dr. Kangmin Zheng

Abstract

The space sector is transitioning towards Hybrid Satellite Networks (HSN), an aggregation of independently owned and operated terminals, antennas, satellites, payloads, or other components that comprise a satellite system. The elements of an HSN may have varying levels of assurance. HSNs may interact with government systems and critical infrastructure (as defined by the Department of Homeland Security). A framework is required to assess the security posture of the individual components while still enabling the HSN to provide its function. This report applies the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to HSNs with an emphasis on the interfaces between the participants of the HSN. HSNs have different cybersecurity concerns relative to a more traditional vertically integrated space system. This technical note presents a representative fictious scenario to demonstrate how to apply the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Internal Report (IR) 8441 Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) Profile to a notional HSN.

Citation

Technical Note (NIST TN) - 2272

Report Number

2272

NIST Pub Series

Technical Note (NIST TN)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2272

Local Download

Keywords

Cybersecurity Framework, hosted payload, HSN, Hybrid Satellite Networks, profile, risk management, security assessments

Citation

Byers, F. , Mamula, D. , Meldorf, K. , brule, J. , Jennings, R. , Wiltberger, J. , Craft, E. , Dombrowski, J. , Lattin, O. , Noor, A. , Yetto, M. , Mamonau, A. , Slivina, O. , Sharma, J. and Zheng, D. (2024), Application of the Hybrid Satellite Network Cybersecurity Framework Profile: An Example Implementation of NIST IR 8441, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2272, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=956994 (Accessed October 10, 2025)