Satellite-based communications security: A survey of threats, solutions, and research challenges

• DOI: 10.1016/j.comnet.2022.109246
• Publication Date: 2022-08-03T15:58:10Z
• Authors: Pietro Tedeschi; Savio Sciancalepore; Roberto Di Pietro
• Keywords: Communications satellite; Physical security

Satellite-based Communication (SATCOM) systems are gaining renewed momentum in Industry and Academia, thanks to innovative services introduced by leading tech companies the promising impact they can deliver towards global connectivity objective tackled early 6G initiatives. On one hand, emergence of new manufacturing processes radio technologies promises reduce service costs while guaranteeing outstanding communication latency, available bandwidth, flexibility, coverage range. other cybersecurity techniques solutions applied SATCOM links should be updated reflect substantial advancements attacker capabilities characterizing last two decades. However, business urgency opportunities operators challenging system trade-offs, resulting an increased attack surface a general relaxation security services. In this paper, we tackle cited problems present comprehensive survey on link-layer threats, solutions, challenges faced when deploying operating systems. Specifically, classify literature for into main branches, i.e., physical-layer cryptography schemes. Then, further identify specific research domains each identified focusing dedicated issues, including, e.g., confidentiality, anti-jamming schemes, anti-spoofing strategies, quantum-based key distribution For above domains, highlight most essential techniques, peculiarities, advantages, disadvantages, lessons learned, future directions. Finally, also emerging topics whose additional investigation Academia could attract researchers investors, ultimately unleashing full potential behind ubiquitous satellite communications.