Date of Conferral
5-3-2024
Date of Award
May 2024
Degree
Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)
School
Information Systems and Technology
Advisor
Dr. Bob Duhainy
Abstract
Information technology (IT) assets rely heavily on satellites in space, with most of them in low Earth orbit (LEO). There is a growing threat towards IT satellites in LEO and cybersecurity professionals must implement proactive measures through policy reform and hardening procedures to prevent cyberattacks. The Kessler syndrome will become existent if satellites start crashing into each other or space debris orbiting the Earth. Grounded in the integrated system theory of information security management, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies IT satellite managers in the space industry use to properly harden and rapidly decommission satellites out of LEO if targeted by cyberattacks. The participants comprised eight cyber security professionals across the southeastern states of the United States. Data were collected using interviews and analyzed using a modified van Kaam method. Three themes were identified: (a) policy concerns, (b) system hardening/logistics and current decommissioning for IT satellites and supporting systems, and (c) legacy equipment. A key recommendation for cyber security professionals is to remove outdated/legacy equipment from space. The implications for positive social change include the potential for more efficient and sustainable use of space resources, a reduction of space debris, and protection of space assets from cyber-attacks.
Recommended Citation
Juarez, Nathaniel Richard, "Strategies to Rapidly Decommission Information Technology Satellites to Prevent Low Earth Orbit Space Debris" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15719.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15719
