In a step towards securing India’s growing space infrastructure, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the Satcom Industry Association of India (SIA-India) have jointly released comprehensive guidelines for cyber security across the country’s space ecosystem. The guidelines were unveiled during the DefSat Conference & Expo 2026 held in New Delhi from February 24–26.
Recognising the critical role of satellite communication systems in national security, disaster response, connectivity, navigation, and broadcasting, the new guidelines aim to strengthen cyber resilience across the space value chain. This includes satellite operators, ground station controllers, equipment manufacturers, private space firms, and government agencies.
“These comprehensive guidelines establish a unified and forward-looking framework by considering defense in depth, breadth, and height,” said Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General of CERT-In. He noted that the goal is to secure not just satellites, but also associated ground infrastructure, supply chains, and communication networks in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President of SIA-India, lauded the public-private partnership model behind the initiative. “This document integrates industry perspectives with CERT-In’s cybersecurity expertise. It’s a significant step forward in reinforcing preparedness against emerging digital threats,” he stated.
The advisory framework lays out core cyber security principles, best practices, and clear roles and responsibilities for stakeholders. It is designed to be adaptive and will undergo periodic updates through structured consultation with industry to stay responsive to emerging technologies and evolving threats.
Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, SIA-India Director General Anil Prakash pointed out the rising number of cyberattacks targeting India’s critical infrastructure. “During Operation Sindoor, over 1.5 million cyberattack attempts were recorded, and attacks on government networks surged nearly sevenfold,” he said. “India’s space sector must evolve cybersecurity from an afterthought into a core pillar of mission assurance.”
The guidelines also call on space enterprises to adopt “secure-by-design” architecture and align innovation with national security imperatives.
The full guidelines are available on CERT-In’s official website: CERT-In Cyber Guidelines 2026.
About CERT-In
CERT-In is India’s national agency for responding to cyber security incidents, operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It offers 24×7 incident response services and plays a central role in managing cyber threats across sectors.
About SIA-India
The Satcom Industry Association of India (SIA-India) is a non-profit body representing India’s space and satellite sector. Its members include satellite operators, manufacturers, startups, academia, and legal firms, working to shape policy and promote global collaboration.
