In 2013, Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 21 established 16 critical infrastructure sectors responsible for providing essential services that underpin American society.
These services are not only vital to the country’s safety and prosperity but are inherently tied to public confidence. As a result, the PPD makes it clear that “proactive and coordinated efforts are necessary to strengthen and maintain secure, functioning and resilient critical infrastructure.” Some of the nation’s critical infrastructure sectors include commercial facilities, emergency services, food and agriculture, information technology and water and wastewater systems.
According to a new report from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), however, the time has come to add a 17th sector: space systems.
What is the CSC?
The CSC was established in 2019 under the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act. Its purpose is to “develop a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace against cyberattacks of significant consequences.”
On March 11, 2020, the CSC’s finished report was made public. It contained 82 recommendations across six pillars to help improve cybersecurity infrastructure. Under the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act, 25 of these recommendations were coded into law. These included the strengthening of federal networks (recommendation 1.4), the establishment of an integrated cybersecurity center (5.3) and the creation of a strategy to secure email (4.5.2).
The CSC’s newest report, published in April 2023, recommends the addition of space systems as the 17th critical infrastructure sector.
