| SPR-14 |
The [spacecraft] shall authenticate the ground station (and all commands) and other spacecraft before establishing remote connections using bidirectional authentication that is cryptographically based.{SV-AC-1,SV-AC-2}{AC-3,AC-17,AC-17(2),AC-17(10),AC-18(1),AC-20,IA-3(1),IA-4,IA-4(9),IA-7,IA-9,SA-8(18),SA-8(19),SA-9(2),SC-7(11),SC-16(1),SC-16(2),SC-16(3),SC-23(3),SI-3(9)}
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Authorization can include embedding opcodes in command strings, using trusted authentication protocols, identifying proper link characteristics such as emitter location, expected range of receive power, expected modulation, data rates, communication protocols, beamwidth, etc.; and tracking command counter increments against expected values.
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| SPR-15 |
The [spacecraft] shall implement cryptographic mechanisms to identify and reject wireless transmissions that are deliberate attempts to achieve imitative or manipulative communications deception based on signal parameters.{SV-AV-1,SV-IT-1}{AC-3,AC-20,SA-8(19),SC-8(1),SC-23(3),SC-40(3),SI-4(13),SI-4(24),SI-4(25),SI-10(6)}
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Adversaries may attempt imitative RF signals to inject commands or manipulate spacecraft behavior. Signal parameter validation (modulation, power, timing, waveform characteristics) strengthens command authentication beyond cryptographic validation alone. This helps mitigate spoofing, replay, and rogue emitter attacks. RF-layer validation complements cryptographic controls.
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| SPR-57 |
The [spacecraft] shall monitor and collect all onboard cyber- data (from multiple system components), including identification of potential attacks and information about the attack for subsequent analysis.{SV-DCO-1}{AC-6(9),AC-20,AC-20(1),AU-2,AU-12,IR-4,IR-4(1),RA-10,SI-3,SI-3(10),SI-4,SI-4(1),SI-4(2),SI-4(7),SI-4(24)}
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The spacecraft will monitor and collect data that provides accountability of activity occurring onboard the spacecraft. Due to resource limitations on the spacecraft, analysis must be performed to determine which data is critical for retention and which can be filtered. Full system coverage of data and actions is desired as an objective; it will likely be impractical due to the resource limitations. “Cyber-relevant data” refers to all data and actions deemed necessary to support accountability and awareness of onboard cyber activities for the mission. This would include data that may indicate abnormal activities, critical configuration parameters, transmissions on onboard networks, command logging, or other such data items. This set of data items should be identified early in the system requirements and design phase. Cyber-relevant data should support the ability to assess whether abnormal events are unintended anomalies or actual cyber threats. Actual cyber threats may rarely or never occur, but non-threat anomalies occur regularly. The ability to filter out cyber threats for non-cyber threats in relevant time would provide a needed capability. Examples could include successful and unsuccessful attempts to access, modify, or delete privileges, security objects, security levels, or categories of information (e.g., classification levels).
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| SPR-96 |
The [spacecraft] shall uniquely identify and authenticate the ground station and other spacecraft before establishing a remote connection.{SV-AC-1,SV-AC-2}{AC-3,AC-17,AC-17(10),AC-20,IA-3,IA-4,SA-8(18),SI-3(9)}
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| SPR-129 |
The [spacecraft] shall restrict the use of information inputs to spacecraft and designated ground stations as defined in the applicable ICDs.{SV-AC-1,SV-AC-2}{AC-20,SC-23,SI-10,SI-10(5),SI-10(6)}
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Limiting inputs to approved spacecraft and ground stations reduces spoofing and injection risk. ICD-defined boundaries prevent rogue sources from influencing control systems. This constrains trust relationships. Controlled input surfaces reduce attack vectors.
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| SPR-163 |
The [spacecraft] shall employ monitoring mechanisms to detect and respond to unauthorized or excessive use of external systems, safeguarding the organization's information and ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of its resources.Monitoring shall be performed on crosslink communications as well as space to ground communications (including direct to user tactical downlinks such as utilized in real-time imagery acquisition).{SV-AC-6,SV-DCO-1,SV-CF-1}{AC-20,AC-20(1)}
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Monitoring detects anomalous bandwidth use, potential exfiltration, or misuse. Crosslinks are lateral movement pathways between spacecraft. Oversight protects enterprise integrity. Visibility supports coordinated response.
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| SPR-285 |
The [organization] risk assessment shall include the full end to end communication pathway (i.e., round trip) to include any crosslink communications.{SV-MA-4}{AC-20,AC-20(1),AC-20(3),RA-3,SA-8(18)}
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Full pathway analysis prevents overlooking intermediate segments. Crosslinks may introduce lateral risk exposure. Round-trip evaluation strengthens confidentiality and integrity assurance. Holistic view reduces blind spots.
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| SPR-411 |
The [organization] shall define and enforce restrictions on activities and transactions permissible when interacting with external systems.These access controls shall be regularly reviewed and updated to align with organizational security policies and requirements.{SV-AC-1,SV-MA-7}{AC-20,AC-20(1),AC-20(3)}
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External systems may introduce compromise pathways. Defined boundaries limit exposure. Regular review ensures alignment with evolving policy. Controlled interfaces strengthen resilience.
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| SPR-465 |
The [spacecraft] shall provide configurable allowlists for external service providers and shall disable or revoke provider access within one contact upon Program direction.{SV-AC-4}{CP-2(7),AC-20}
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External providers must be tightly governed. Configurable allowlists permit controlled flexibility. Revocation within one contact minimizes compromise dwell time. Agile credential governance strengthens mission continuity.
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| SPR-518 |
The [organization] shall require external stations/relays to complete an onboarding certification demonstrating operator/facility vetting, key custody and revocation practices, RF configuration discipline, time synchronization, and adherence to pass scheduling and emergency procedures, with periodic re‑certification.{SV-MA-7,SV-AC-4}{AC-17,AC-20,AC-20(1),SR-6}
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Relay and partner stations expand trust boundaries. Certification ensures consistent security practices. Periodic re-validation prevents drift. External governance strengthens link integrity.
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