Lucrative Intelligence Pursuits Puts Spotlight on U.S. Aerospace Entities

Category: Threat Actor Activity | Industry: Aerospace | Source: NCSC

U.S. aerospace organizations are currently facing cyberattack threats from foreign intelligence entities (FIEs) who seek classified data to bolster their economic standing, especially given the growth potential of this sector. In an advisory released by U.S. intelligence agencies, including the FBI, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), it's emphasized that "the global space economy is projected to grow from $469 billion in 2021 to more than $1 trillion by 2030." The United States is a prominent aerospace innovator, closely followed by China, making U.S. aerospace organizations a critical target for foreign hackers.

"FIEs use cyberattacks, strategic investment (including joint ventures and acquisitions), the targeting of key supply chain nodes, and other techniques to gain access to the US space industry," U.S. agencies warn in their report. Intelligence gained from potential hacks will empower foreign entities to exploit the stolen information, evading the costs tied to research and development (R&D) initiatives. Additionally, this may lead to the propagation of misleading narratives involving counterfeit products. From a national security standpoint, assaults targeting the space industry can jeopardize sensitive data and disrupt or undermine satellite communication capabilities.