Geoscience Australia (GA) has put out a request for information (RFI) on cyber security for the country’s Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) project.
The Federal Government agency issued the RFI seeking guidance on the security risks facing its proposed SBAS architecture.
Information gleaned from the RFI may be used to develop an operational cyber security strategy for SBAS, which is aimed at improving GPS and Galileo positioning for industries such as aviation, maritime, agriculture and mining.
To be eligible, respondents must provide evidence of involvement and expert knowledge with similar previous projects.
The call follows GA’s receipt of $160.9 million from the 2018-19 Federal Budget to support the SBAS over four years.
The SBAS infrastructure includes a network of ranging and integrity monitoring stations (RIMS) across the country. Up to 40 stations will be connected via a high-reliability communications infrastructure, with telecommunications channels including internet 3/4G, fibre optics and VSAT satellite communication.
In total, the Government allocated $225 million to improving its satellite-based positioning systems in the hope of overcoming gaps in mobile and radio communications.
However, according to RFI documents, satellite uplink stations and communications may become vulnerable to malicious cyber attacks, spurring the need for a security strategy protecting SBAS ground infrastructure and processing facilities.
Responses to the RFI will close on 13 February with an industry briefing taking place at GA’s base on 30 January.
