As satellite constellations proliferate, operators are rethinking how they connect to Earth. Instead of building and maintaining costly infrastructure, many are turning to the ground stations-as-a-service (GSaaS) model for flexible, on-demand access. By tapping into shared global networks, satellite operators can reduce capex, scale faster and focus more on mission outcomes than ground logistics.
But GSaaS reshapes the threat surface, linking satellites directly into shared, cloud-based multi-tenant infrastructures. That makes the ground a more tempting target for cyber adversaries, from ransomware groups to state-backed actors.
Mattias Wallen, CISO at Swedish Space Corp. (SSC), framed the challenge this way: “Ground stations used to be locked down and relatively obscure. But as we move toward service models built on cloud, they become more public interfaces—more accessible, and therefore more tested by threat actors.”
In other words, GSaaS is a potentially new frontier for cybersecurity, and protecting shared ground systems is central to the resilience of the satellite ecosystem.
The Rise of Ground Stations-as-a-Service
The idea of buying connectivity from a ground station network isn’t new, but the GSaaS model has redefined it. Rather than long-term contracts with space agencies or government networks, GSaaS delivers cloud-integrated, pay-as-you-go connectivity. Providers like AWS Ground Station, KSAT, SSC, and Atlas Space are lowering barriers for satellite operators.
The model democratizes access. A startup can rent time on an antenna in Hawaii or Alaska without having to build a site. Universities can download mission data through virtualized interfaces instead of managing legacy equipment. Even large satellite operators see the appeal of agility, scalability and a faster time-to-market for new services.
But this flexibility also expands the attack surface. Every shared antenna introduces potential weak points. As Atlas Space CTO Brad Bode said, “Security is only as good as the weakest link in the chain.” For GSaaS, that chain stretches across providers, partners and geographies, making trust as critical as technology.
“Ground stations are effectively the weak point. If someone is going to compromise a satellite operator, this is where it’s most likely to happen.” —James Schraepfer, Essendis
“Ground stations are effectively the weak point,” said James Schraepfer, founder and CISO of Essendis, a DoD prime contractor and cybersecurity consulting firm focused on federal compliance for DoD and DoE contractors. “If someone is going to compromise a satellite operator, this is where it’s most likely to happen.”
The transition to GSaaS doesn’t eliminate those risks—it multiplies them, because compromise of one provider can spill into many operators at once.
Unique Threats in GSaaS
The most immediate risk in GSaaS is multi-tenancy. Different operators share the same ground infrastructure, sometimes even the same virtual environment. If one tenant is compromised, attackers may attempt to pivot laterally.
“It’s like ten houses connected by tunnels,” Bode said. “If one is breached and there are no locks, the others are at risk.”
Cloud integration introduces another layer of exposure. While companies like AWS bring hardened security, they also concentrate risk. A single misconfigured API or exposed bucket could cascade across multiple missions.
Wallen said this risk is balanced by the advantages of a cloud approach.
“In many ways, GSaaS can be more secure than legacy stations if implemented properly.” —Mattias Wallen, SSC
“Authentication and compliance are built in and automated,” he said. “In many ways, GSaaS can be more secure than legacy stations if implemented properly.”
Supply-chain threats also should be top of mind in a GSaaS environment. Hardware sourced from unvetted vendors or code with hidden backdoors could give adversaries persistent access. Bode pointed to certification regimes like CMMC and NIST audits as critical safeguards.
While GSaaS often focuses on cloud integration and virtualized networks, the physical layer can’t be overlooked, especially from a threat perspective. Ground stations aren’t always hyperscale data centers with tightly controlled access. They are often in remote geographies where contractors, technicians or even state-aligned actors could gain hands-on access. That means physical security—from fences and CCTV to guard posts—matters in ways cloud customers don’t usually consider.
“Once somebody can touch your technology, they can do pretty much anything they want to if they know what they’re doing,” Schraepfer said. “That’s why it is critical for spacecraft operators to choose a ground station provider that can demonstrate compliance with the physical and environmental security requirements that apply to their contract or use case.”
Wallen at SSC echoed the concern but said he sees GSaaS as an opportunity to reduce the footprint of sensitive hardware.
“Hopefully when we move toward ground stations-as-a-service, the footprint of the data centers and the amount of IT hardware infrastructure we need on our physical sites will decrease,” he said. “More of the infrastructure can be virtualized in a cloud provider, which reduces complexity and lowers physical exposure.”
For nation-states, GSaaS could become a choke point. A successful attack on a single provider could ripple across dozens of operators. That prospect makes defending GSaaS a matter not just of corporate responsibility, but potentially of national security.
The Role of AI and Automation in Ground Security
Just as in orbit, AI and automation are emerging as vital tools for ground security. Machine learning models can sift through massive volumes of network and uplink data, flagging anomalies that humans might miss.
Bode said he sees AI as a natural extension of GSaaS. The same cloud environments that enable on-demand access can also run AI-driven monitoring and alerting.
Wallen agreed, noting that cloud-native compliance checks already automate key functions.
“In a cloud environment, every line of code we push can be automatically checked for vulnerabilities or misconfigurations before it goes into production.” —Brad Bode, Atlas Space
“In a cloud environment, every line of code we push can be automatically checked for vulnerabilities or misconfigurations before it goes into production,” he said.
But AI isn’t a silver bullet. Models can be fooled by adversarial inputs, and overreliance could create blind spots. AI is a potential benefit, but only when paired with human oversight.
Policy, Standards and Governance
One of the biggest gaps today is governance. GSaaS providers span multiple jurisdictions, with ground stations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and beyond. Regulations vary, and there’s no global baseline for ground cybersecurity.
No single GSaaS provider can address cybersecurity alone. Shared infrastructure requires shared defense. That means sharing threat intelligence across providers, customers and governments, much like the financial or telecom industries already do.
Organizations like Space ISAC are beginning to address this, and certifications are emerging. Without such frameworks, experts contend that attackers will continue to look for weak links.
“Threats to cloud infrastructure are widely known, but threats to ground stations are simply not reported publicly.” —Marcus Graham, Space ISAC
“Threats to cloud infrastructure are widely known, but threats to ground stations are simply not reported publicly,” said Marcus Graham, cross-domain analyst for Space ISAC. “This underscores the need for an information sharing framework that addresses these gaps, of which Space ISAC’s International community is collaborating on and prioritizing.”
Wallen pointed out that GSaaS makes compliance easier.
“In cloud, compliance checking is automated,” he said. “Authentication, firewalls, code pushes—they can all be tested continuously.”
The long-term vision is for GSaaS to function as part of a distributed immune system for space-to-ground integration. If one provider sees a new form of attack, the others should know about it instantly.
GSaaS is transforming space access, much as cloud transformed IT. But with greater agility comes greater exposure. Multi-tenancy, supply-chain complexity, insider risks and adversarial opportunities make ground systems a prime target.
As Bode said, “It’s just a question of whether or not companies value security. The government does. However, some commercial operators don’t because most commercial companies don’t request stringent security.”
Explore More:
Maintaining Cybersecurity as a Service in GSaaS
GSaaS, Smallsat Launches and Thinking About the Ground First
Software, the Ground Truth and Why GSaaS Hasn’t Consolidated
