DefSat 2026: CERT-In Unveils Cyber Resilience Blueprint for Space Sector

New Delhi: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with SIA-India, unveiled a comprehensive framework and guidelines for Space Cyber Security at the DefSat Conference & Expo-2026 held here at the capital from February 24-26.

The advisory guidelines aim to secure space communication assets and enhance resilience across India's space ecosystem. Tailored for diverse stakeholders—including government agencies, satellite service providers, ground station operators, equipment vendors, and private space enterprises—they outline essential cyber security principles, recommended controls, and defined responsibilities to promote resilience, accountability, and proactive risk management.

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Speaking on the occasion Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In, stated: “these comprehensive guidelines establish a unified and forward-looking framework by considering defense in depth, breadth and height to safeguard satellite networks, ground infrastructure, space related supply chains and space assets against the rapidly evolving and increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape.”

While the President of SIA-India Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri said that Public Private Partnership and the considered views of industry are fundamental to strengthening cyber resilience across any sector. This joint guideline document issued by CERT-In and SIA India reflect a holistic and collaborative approach, integrating industry perspectives with the deep cyber security expertise of CERT-In.

Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA-India, emphasized: “India’s expanding space ecosystem now requires cybersecurity to evolve from a technical afterthought into a core pillar of mission assurance. The joint framework developed with CERT-In institutionalizes resilience across satellites, ground infrastructure, and supply chains—particularly significant at a time when over 1.5 million cyberattack attempts were recorded during Operation Sindoor and attacks on government networks surged nearly sevenfold.

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"In this evolving threat landscape, critical infrastructure and industry are equally vulnerable. Importantly, these cyber guidelines are based on an adaptive model and will be periodically refined through structured industry consultation to remain responsive to emerging threats and technological advancements. For industry, this is a clear call to adopt secure-by-design architectures and align innovation with national security imperatives”, he added.

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