Certified Aviation & Space Cybersecurity Professional (CASCP)
The course provides a deep, integrated view of cybersecurity challenges across aviation and space ecosystems, including aircraft, avionics, satellites, ground stations, and communication links. Participants learn how to identify vulnerabilities, design resilient architectures, and comply with relevant aerospace cybersecurity standards.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this 2-day course, participants will be able to:
- Understand cyber threats and vulnerabilities unique to aviation and space domains.
- Apply risk assessment and security frameworks for airborne and spaceborne systems.
- Implement protection, detection, and response strategies across avionics and spacecraft networks.
- Map cybersecurity requirements to industry and government standards (RTCA, EUROCAE, NIST, NASA, DoD).
- Design defense-in-depth architectures for aircraft, satellites, and command/control networks.
- Conduct security testing, monitoring, and post-incident analysis in regulated environments.
Target Audience
- Aerospace cybersecurity engineers
- Avionics system designers and integrators
- Space mission engineers and operators
- Air traffic management and satellite ground personnel
- Program managers and compliance officers
- Defense and intelligence analysts
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of cybersecurity, avionics, or space systems engineering
Program modules:
Cybersecurity Fundamentals in Aviation & Space
Introduction to Aerospace Cyber Threat Landscape
- Civil, military, and commercial space/aviation targets
- Adversary tactics and threat actors
Aviation and Space System Architectures
- Avionics subsystems, data buses (ARINC 429, AFDX)
- Spacecraft buses, TT&C, payload interfaces
Cyber Attack Surfaces
- Aircraft Wi-Fi, SATCOM links, GPS, ADS-B, ACARS
- Satellite uplinks, downlinks, ground segment networks
Cybersecurity Frameworks
- NIST 800-53, 800-171, and NASA IT Security policies
- ISO/IEC 27001 for aerospace systems
Workshop: Threat mapping of a connected aircraft and LEO satellite system
Aircraft and Avionics Cybersecurity
Cyber Risk in Avionics and Flight Systems
- Airborne network segregation
- Flight control and FADEC vulnerabilities
Aircraft Data Links and Communications
- ACARS, ADS-B, SATCOM, CPDLC
- Secure connectivity and encryption mechanisms
Certification and Standards
- RTCA DO-326A / ED-202A (Airworthiness Security Process)
- DO-356A (Airborne Security Methods)
- DO-355 (Security Aspects of Development Assurance)
Supply Chain and Maintenance Security
- MRO cybersecurity risks
- Hardware assurance and embedded device threats
Exercise: Analysis of intrusion on an avionics data bus and security mitigation plan
Space System Cybersecurity
Cyber Threats in Space Systems
- Satellite hacking scenarios (uplink jamming, spoofing, hijacking)
- Ground station vulnerabilities
Space Mission Risk Management
- DoD Space Policy 12-1, NIST SP 800-53 tailoring for space
- NASA Cybersecurity Framework and SCaN security practices
Secure Space Communications
- Encryption/authentication for TT&C links
- CCSDS SDLS protocols (GMAC, CMAC, GCM)
- Crosslink and inter-satellite link security
Space Operations and Situational Awareness
- Threat detection in orbit
- AI for anomaly detection and satellite health security
Workshop: Cyber defense simulation for a small satellite constellation
Integrated Cyber Defense and Resilience
Cyber Resilience Architecture
- Layered security for combined aviation-space ecosystems
- Cloud-ground integration and hybrid networks
Cyber Incident Response & Forensics
- Incident reporting, containment, and recovery
- Lessons learned from aviation/space cyber incidents (e.g., Viasat KA-SAT, FAA data exposure)
Red/Blue Team Exercises for Aerospace Systems
- Security validation testing (penetration, fuzzing, fault injection)
Governance, Compliance & Emerging Trends
- FAA, EASA, DoD, and NATO guidance
- Post-quantum cryptography and AI-driven threats
Capstone Project:
- Design a cybersecurity architecture for a joint aviation-space network (e.g., aircraft–satellite–ground link) with mitigation strategies and compliance mapping.
Deliverables
- Instructor slides (editable and student versions)
- Participant workbook (exercises, labs, notes)
- Case studies: aviation data bus exploit, satellite ground link intrusion
Templates:
- Threat model worksheet
- Security controls checklist (RTCA/NIST/NASA mapping)
- Incident response plan outline
Cheat sheets:
- Sub-6 GHz aviation/space spectrum
- Common avionics protocols & vulnerabilities
- Satellite communication encryption quick reference
Assessment & Certification
- Final Exam: 60 questions (multiple-choice + scenario-based)
- Capstone Project evaluation (pass/fail)
- Minimum passing score: 75%
- Certificate: Certified Aviation and Space Cybersecurity Professional (CASCP)