COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, November 25, 2024 — Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) is pleased to announce an Australia Global Hub.  The purpose of the Space ISAC Australia Global Hub is to expand our regular forum that brings together members of the Space ISAC in Australia, facilitates cooperation, enables coordination, and drive toward an operational cadence of “all threats, all hazards” information sharing. This designation aligns to the Space ISAC’s vision to operate a global watch center, with the broad goal of reducing threats to Australian space missions and critical infrastructure.

The group aims to collaborate on solving the unique challenges related to cybersecurity in space operations and the exchange of Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI), applying an all-threats, all-hazards approach. The Space ISAC Australia Forum will further the Space ISAC mission with an Australian focus. The Space ISAC Australia Forum will also lead collective outreach to the broader space, cyber and intelligence communities within Australia.  Space ISAC’s international expansion plan includes engaging regions of the world where a coalescence of space and cyber industry and public sector entities are seeking to raise the global security posture for the space sector and establish Global Hubs for the Space ISAC Watch Center as part of a larger network throughout the world.

Space ISAC has named Byron Riessen, Partner | Space & Global Lead Partner, GRAVITY Challenge at Deloitte as primary designee for representation of the Australia Global Hub on the Space ISAC Board of Directors.  Byron is a Partner in Deloitte’s space sector advisory practice with 30 years’ experience in the information and communications technology and space sectors. He advises all segments of the space ecosystem including early-stage tech companies, defense/space primes, universities, government (industry development, regulator and space data consumer and service provider), defense and downstream users of geospatial intelligence including mining & energy resources, utilities, agriculture and insurance.

Before Deloitte, Byron co-founded, grew and exited several high-growth tech companies. He has also served as an executive of the peak industry body for the ICT sector.

He currently leads a team of space systems engineers and space innovation program experts, engaged on projects both in Australia and internationally.

Byron also established Deloitte’s global space & geospatial tech accelerator program, the GRAVITY Challenge – a program he continues to lead globally with active participation from Australia, Canada, Europe, India, Japan, UK and the US.

According to Byron Riessen, Partner, Space at Deloitte “There’s almost no sector not enabled by satellite and space systems. For example, more than 50% of the World Economic Forum’s essential climate variables can only, not optionally, be measured from space. And from a national security context, there is ever increasing activity of cyber threats in space just like the ones businesses and governments are prioritizing to attention every day. Deloitte is delighted to support the establishment of the Space ISAC’s Australian Global Hub as it provides an opportunity for the Australian space ecosystem to work alongside global stakeholders in addressing these types of issues, to inform emerging new space cyber standards and to enter global supply chains.”

According to Erin Miller, Executive Director at Space ISAC, “Designating Australia as a Global Hub for the Space ISAC propels threat sharing and operational collaboration to a new moment where collective defense means aligning public and private space sectors globally to improve the overall resilience of the space industry.” She added, “This designation is the beginning of our efforts to scale globally through the designation of multiple global hubs over the next months and years.”

Furthermore, Matt Opie, Chief Executive of Defence SA expressed that South Australia was pleased to be the home base for the Space ISAC Australia Global Hub.

“We welcome the opportunity for South Australia to take a lead in supporting this initiative. Partnerships between industry, government and academia will be critical in addressing the pressing challenges in space and cyber,” Matt said.

“Being part of the Space ISAC is an important step that will drive global cooperation and coordination to support a safe and secure future for Australian space missions and services.”

Deloitte is a Founding Board Member of the Space ISAC, and this development is an important milestone to harness momentum and fuel further progress in the global space community.

As Australia continues to solidify its position as a global leader in space innovation and security, we invite Australian companies to join the Space ISAC community. By becoming a member, your organization will gain access to an unparalleled network of global experts and resources dedicated to enhancing the resilience of the space industry.

For more information on membership opportunities or to explore how your organization can contribute to advancing the security of Australia’s space missions and critical infrastructure, please contact Space ISAC today.

BACKGROUND

Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) is a 501(c)(6) organization that serves as the all-threats security information source for the public and private space sector. Founded in 2019, Space ISAC became an official member of the National Council of ISACs in 2020. The Space ISAC Watch Center achieved initial operational capability in March 2023.

Space ISAC is located at the Kevin W O’Neil Cybersecurity Research and Education Building at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. The Space ISAC serves to facilitate collaboration across the global space industry to enhance our ability to prepare for and respond to vulnerabilities, incidents, and threats; to disseminate timely and actionable information among member entities; and to serve as the primary communications channel for the sector with respect to this information. After opening the Watch Center in 2023, member services include support for response, mitigation, and resilience initiatives, while breaking down communication silos of public-private information sharing.

Space ISAC founding members include: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH),  MITRE, SES, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), Purdue University, the Space Dynamics Laboratory, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Microsoft,  L3Harris, Deloitte and Capella Space.

Space ISAC establishes partnerships with government agencies for facilitating collaboration to protect the security of the global space industry. Space ISAC government partners include: Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Command, US Space Force, Department of State, Federal Bureau-Investigation, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA), Israel Space Agency, the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance, the Department of Commerce, the National Cyber Director, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), IC Commercial Space Council, and National Space Council.