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ESA Launches Cybersecurity Center to Protect Space Missions and Infrastructure

Cyber Security

Business Honor
28 May, 2025

New dual-site center strengthens security for satellites, ground stations, and IT systems.

To further safeguard its vital IT systems, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched a new Cybersecurity Operations Center (C-SOC) this week. This center will assist in protecting ESA's vital digital assets, such as ground stations on Earth and satellites in orbit.

The C-SOC runs from two places: the European Space Operations Center (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, and the European Space Security and Education Center (ESEC) in Redu, Belgium. Having two sites helps provide stronger protection and backup support.

Due to the increase in cyber dangers, ESA established the C-SOC. As space technology becomes more important to Europe’s economy and society, cyber attacks are getting more complex and dangerous. Massimo Mercati, head of ESA’s Security Office, said satellite operations need special, advanced cybersecurity. He explained that the space mission control center faces different cyber risks than regular IT systems.

Before the C-SOC, ESA had security teams like the ESA Computer Emergency Response Team (ESACERT) in Italy. However with increasing challenges, they needed a dedicated center focused fully on space cybersecurity. Protecting ESA's corporate IT systems, such as cloud services and email, will be the main goal of ESEC. ESOC will safeguard the mission-critical systems that manage scientific data and satellites in the interim.

The new center also supports European industry. The C-SOC was built with the assistance of 19 European companies under Leonardo's leadership. Other companies like Nexova, Nvisio, and Station will run daily operations. Mercati added that the C-SOC’s benefits go beyond ESA, helping European companies grow in the fast-growing space cybersecurity field.