But what if hackers sought to intercept this vital weather data coming from satellites to prevent these preparations? What would be the impact on lives and urban and rural environments?
Leonardo and Telespazio in the UK and Earth Observation (EO) company FACTiven are investigating this question, in a project that will see Leonardo also provide vital cyber expertise to secure emerging EO satellite data.
As the UK’s winter storm season intensifies, the demand for accurate weather data has never been higher this year. Leonardo, through its space business Telespazio UK, is leading an ESA-funded project called ‘Earth Observation Veracity Proof of Concept Verification’ to create an end-to-end solution to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of EO data, recognising the critical importance of reliable information for defence and security and civilian applications like weather monitoring.
Leonardo is also providing cybersecurity expertise and technology to the project, to help monitor and protect the data supply chain from potential threats.
Allan Leggetter, Managing Director of the Leonardo's UK Cyber & Security business, said: “Hackers aren't just after credit card details. They're looking to create operational chaos and exploit countries’ urgent requirements for information.”
The threat is clear: data relayed from satellites, that informs government policy and investment as well as disaster relief, could be vulnerable to manipulation. Malicious actors pose a growing threat, seeking to compromise, distort or falsify EO data to sow disinformation.
This has the domino effect of hindering response efforts, putting lives and crucial environments at risk.
Leonardo is tackling this challenge head on in their unique role in the EO Veracity project, by applying advanced cyber security expertise in the creation of a comprehensive roadmap to create a chain of custody for satellite data.
This ensures that every piece of data is verifiably genuine, from the moment it is captured in orbit to the instant when it reaches the hands of UK policymakers and scientists.
Allan added: “The collaboration of Leonardo and Telespazio UK with international partners on this project is ensuring that the provision of critical data can be resilient and trusted to inform decisions at the crisis and policy level.”
Geoff Busswell, VP of Business Growth at Telespazio UK, said: “As satellite data becomes ever more central to decision-making in defence, security and civil applications, confidence in its authenticity is paramount. In alignment with Leonardo’s strategic vision for Space and through this ESA led project, Telespazio UK is proud to lead a partnership that strengthens the resilience and trustworthiness of EO data – ensuring it can be relied upon where it matters most.”
The project, which is pioneering new standards for EO data security, confirms Leonardo’s leadership in blending cutting-edge EO technology with next generation digital solutions, including cyber security.