Security

Relying on its renowned Security expertise,
FDC brings robustness to your solutions and programmes.

Cyber and Radio Frequency attacks against space systems, services or associated user equipment are becoming increasingly common. Their impacts can profoundly damage a wealth of assets essential for the well-functioning of our society and economy.

The assessment of threats and vulnerabilities of space systems and services, complemented by the identification of robust and resilient solutions, are now considered as essential by organisations positioned all along the value chain.

Our experts have supported national and European institutions as well as industries on the Security aspects of space programmes, services and applications for more than 30 years. FDC’s teams perform a wide range of activities encompassing risks analysis, design and development of secure solutions, and preparation of secure operations.

Case Studies

Context & Objectives

Using classified items during Galileo demonstration activities requires the establishment of a security framework. Application of this framework implies the involvement of Member States representatives as well as an early anticipation of the security measures to be implemented. In this context and drawing on our experts’ long experience in Galileo and Security, FDC was tasked by the European Commission to define an appropriate security framework and to elaborate the associated preparatory security documents.

FDC’s Activities

FDC’s activities included:

  • Establishment of classification levels for the tools and equipment planned to be used during the demonstrations
  • Elaboration of guidelines for their transportation, receipt, handling, use, storage and demobilisation

Outcomes

  • Logistic Plans identifying tools and equipment delivery procedures to the experiment location
  • Security Operating Procedures (SecOPs) governing the handling of the classified tools and equipment in particular during the demonstrations

Context & Objectives

European strategic autonomy is one of the primary objectives for establishing and operating Europe’s GNSS programmes. It is therefore essential to ensure a robust and independent Galileo supply chain especially for the Public Regulated Service (PRS), the encrypted navigation service for governmental authorised users. The European Commission mandated FDC to lead an independent assessment of the vulnerability of Galileo security and PRS supply chain.

FDC’s Activities

Our expertise in GNSS security combined with our deep knowledge of the European GNSS industrial landscape allowed us to map and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the main industrial players involved in Galileo security and PRS supply chain. FDC’s activities included:

  • Technical consultancy
  • Supply chain modelling
  • Risk analysis and impact assessment

Outcomes

  • Tailored methodology for Galileo security and PRS supply chain assessment process
  • Risks assessment per company and per technology, for each segment and for the overall supply chain
  • Risk mitigation plan including residual risk assessment and recommendations.

Context & Objectives

While the need for trustworthy Positioning and Timing information has recently gained importance – in particular with the advent of connected, self-driving vehicles as well as for applications relying on GNSS to charge users – the evolution of Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies provides easy and affordable solutions to counterfeit GNSS signal in real-time. Detecting and mitigating GNSS attacks is therefore required to limit and control the impacts of forged GNSS information in many critical applications.

FDC teamed up with STMicroelectronics, CLS (ex Novacom Services) and NavCert to develop a new generation of GNSS receiver, resilient to jamming and spoofing attempts.

FDC’s Activities

Leveraging our unique blend of technical expertise in GNSS, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Security, FDC has designed and developed a Secure GNSS module prototype, improving resilience and trust in Position, Navigation and Timing. Our activities included:

  • GNSS module specification, design and development – Hardware and Software
  • Module prototype tests and validation campaigns
  • Module integration into a geo-location OBU, installation in vehicles and in-field pilots
  • Certification preparation: RED, EMC and UNECE AECS (eCall) type-approval pre-testing

Outcomes

  • TRL 7 GNSS module prototype (Galileo, EGNOS, GPS and GLONASS enabled) focusing on GNSS attack detection and mitigation and implementing greater resilience against the increasing range of GNSS threats by:
    • Detecting signal attack attempts (spoofing, meaconing and jamming)
    • Providing indicators to users about the confidence of the positioning
    • Providing proof of the integrity and origin of the PVT data (digital signature)
  • Prototype deeply tested by FDC (more than 3,000 kms of field test) and with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) at the European Microwave Signature Laboratory (EMSL)
  • Prototype experimented in real environment