From jamming to emerging cyber threats : how to protect European Union’s space services
Europeans rely on EU Space services such as Galileo every day. This European Cybersecurity Month, we look at how EUSPA helps protect the systems and services we depend on as threats to space infrastructure evolve.
It can be easy to forget how much we rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as Galileo. We use them when we drive, track our daily run, or travel by air, where GNSS supports safe and efficient operations.
This reliance has made GNSS services a target for malicious actors. GNSS jamming and spoofing – where a GNSS signal is either blocked or modified – are on the rise, particularly in areas close to conflict zones. Spoofing and jamming devices are low-cost and highly accessible, potentially making the GNSS services we rely on less reliable. This can affect everything from finding our way around town to the safety of our commercial aviation.
Threats to space systems are not limited to jamming and spoofing. Space infrastructure, such as Galileo, can also be targeted by cyberattacks, interference with satellite communications, and other emerging threats to space infrastructure. This is why EUSPA implements measures including advanced encryption protocols, access controls and cybersecurity frameworks. This also involves physical security measures to protect infrastructure and facilities critical to space operations. Through the GSMC, EUSPA monitors Galileo's security around the clock and responds to security threats and alerts.
Cybersecurity
The Galileo Security Monitoring Centre (GSMC), an integral part of the Galileo infrastructure, operates as its Security Operations Centre. The GSMC operates from two sites: one in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, France, and the other in San Martín de la Vega, near Madrid, Spain.
The GSMC monitors the security of the Galileo system. It detects security events that could damage or cause a disruption of the many Galileo services. It identifies cybersecurity threats and alerts and react to maintain or restore the services. The centre also manages access to Galileo’s Public Regulated Service (PRS). This is an encrypted navigation service for government-authorised users, such as emergency services and the police, and for sensitive applications that require high continuity. PRS is designed to provide authorised users with greater resilience against threats such as spoofing and jamming.
Against spoofing, another way EUSPA strengthens Galileo’s resilience is through the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA). Declared operational in July 2025, OSNMA made Galileo the first GNSS to offer a global, open authentication service. It allows users to verify that the navigation data they receive genuinely comes from Galileo and has not been tampered with, making spoofing significantly more difficult. The service is freely accessible to Galileo users worldwide.
Emerging threats
Meanwhile, new threats are on the horizon. Powerful lasers could, for example, be used to blind Earth observation satellites. In the future, powerful quantum computers might also be able to break some of today’s encryption methods, potentially putting sensitive communications at risk.
Europe is already working to mitigate some of these emerging risks. The new Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS2) constellation will rely on quantum cryptography through the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), alongside enhanced cybersecurity through a secure-by-design approach. IRIS2 will combine satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) to provide secure and resilient connectivity. The European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), which is already under development, will add a further layer of security to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure.
Laser communications between satellites and Earth could also contribute to more resilient communications. Optical links can transmit large volumes of data and, due to their highly directional beams, can offer advantages in terms of security and resistance to interference. This is something the Lithuanian company Astrolight is working on. In 2025, the company raised €2.8 million in venture capital, a funding round catalysed by the CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days 2024 in Prague, a flagship event organised by EUSPA to connect top European space start-ups with leading investors.
Resilience is also built into IRIS2 through its multi-orbital architecture and complementarity with existing connectivity assets, providing redundancy and helping ensure continuity of service.
As threats continue to evolve, so too does the European Union's approach to space security. Through Galileo, the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre, Galileo OSNMA, and future initiatives such as IRIS2 and EuroQCI, EUSPA is helping ensure that Europe’s space infrastructure remains secure, resilient and reliable. By anticipating emerging risks and investing in innovative solutions, the Agency is safeguarding the services that millions of users depend on every day.
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