Supply Chain Security
California Advanced Supply Chain Analysis and Diversification Effort (CASCADE)
Overview
This unique effort involves Cybersecurity for Space Systems. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly, SLO) is leading an effort to better understand a top priority for national security, enhancing the cybersecurity of space assets. Space is now considered a warfighting domain because much of U.S. critical infrastructure relies on connectivity in or through space. The California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) at Cal Poly SLO project addresses identified Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial space needs in many ways.
Two important components include conducting a Space Operations Challenge series and two Space Summits leveraging Cal Poly’s Digital Transformation Hub (DxHub) in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This project alone engages more than 20 partners, including DoD’s Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), and the Vandenberg Air Force Base 30th Space Wing Air Force Space Command.
Kurt Colvin
Professor, Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
"The CASCADE grant enables Cal Poly faculty and students, in collaboration with the AWS Satellite Data Solutions initiative, to learn how to solve these new engineering problems. By the end of the grant, we hope to better understand the problem domain and have prototype solutions that we can pursue."
Space Operations Challenges
The challenges are varied, including small satellite design, multi-satellite launch capabilities, secure space communication, secure satellite command and control, cloud-based space data processing and analysis, and education and workforce development opportunities for space and cybersecurity. The challenges that are either in progress or upcoming are:
- Teensy Encryption Device for SmallSats and Drones
- Vandenberg Space Force Base Digital Twin
- Runge User Interface Turbo Launch
- XUI Weather Data
Space Summits
Space & Cybersecurity Symposium
On October 5 – 8, 2020, Cal Poly hosted a series of solutions-focused conversations on the intersection of space and cybersecurity. The hour-long sessions featured keynote interviews and panel discussions from the United States Space Force, industry, and higher education.
Read about the Space & Cybersecurity Symposium 2020
California Cyber Innovation Challenge (CCIC) 2020
On October 2 – 4, 2020, CCI hosted its fourth annual cybersecurity competition for middle and high school students online using digital evidence and live virtual environments developed in AWS Sumerian. The CCIC 2021 is scheduled to take place on October 1-3 of this year and will continue to provide young students with valuable opportunities to learn, practice, and implement modern cybersecurity skills.
Digital Literacy Training
The CCI has developed an eight-hour training program that is now being delivered to a growing list of companies to meet baseline cybersecurity and digital literacy standards. The course trains employees on cybersecurity culture, cybersecurity risk, ethics, compliance, types of common cyberattacks, and cyber hygiene best practices for data handling, password management, and communication.
THIS COMMUNICATION IS FUNDED BY A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, OFFICE OF LOCAL DEFENSE COMMUNITY COOPERATION GRANT THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH. THE CONTENT REFLECTS THE VIEWS OF Cal poly california cybersecurity institute AND DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, OFFICE OF ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT, OR THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH.