Executive Summary
This dissertation investigates secure and resilient space communications, addressing challenges posed by commercial space internet and the need for quantum-resistant protocols. It proposes methods for secure, resilient communication in delay-prone environments and optimizes post-quantum cryptography for bandwidth-constrained space applications. Dynamic key establishment approaches are introduced to enhance security self-healing against adversarial attacks.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense analysts as it addresses the critical need for secure and resilient communication in military space operations, particularly against emerging quantum threats and in challenging, delay-prone environments. It directly impacts the future of secure satellite communications and data integrity for national security assets.
Key Takeaways
- Traditional space security protocols are inadequate for modern threats and quantum adversaries, requiring new approaches.
- The dissertation proposes and evaluates methods for secure, resilient communication in delay/disruption-prone space environments, optimizing post-quantum cryptography.
- Dynamic key establishment and self-healing security mechanisms are critical for maintaining integrity against adversarial attacks in long-lifespan satellite systems.
- The research integrates MLS with BPSec and QUIC to enhance key management and resilience in space networks.
Strategic Relevance
Ensuring secure and resilient space communications is paramount for maintaining military advantage, protecting sensitive data, and enabling effective command and control in an increasingly contested space domain. The research directly contributes to hardening critical infrastructure against advanced persistent threats and future quantum computing capabilities, impacting strategic deterrence and operational effectiveness.