ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10497
Open Date: 09/02/2022 11:31 CEST
Closing Date: 26/04/2022 13:00 CEST

The objective of the activity is to develop and validate solutions for the security vulnerabilities introduced by the adoption of 5G features in Satcom networks. The developments will be validated in an end-to-end 5G Satcom test bed to be implemented as part of the activity. The test bed will be developed to serve as a platform for the development, testing, validation and satellite live demonstration of future security solutions for 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). Targeted Improvements:Enabling security solutions for 5G Satcom networks.Description: 5G Satcom systems are being developed with new architectural concepts and capabilities such as slicing, virtualisation and edge computing for both direct access and transport connectivity scenarios. 5G satellite networks are expected to expose some of their capabilities to third parties to enable features like end-to-end network setup and orchestration. While this exposure is expected to create new business opportunities and drive the use of satellite in 5G, it also introduces new security risks. The specific security threats depend on the scenario: the Satcom network architecture, the management interfaces for resources and network orchestration, the connectivity models, the trust/liability models among the participating parties, the Satcom network operator(s), and the network capabilities. For example, the flexible deployment models that enable Multiple access Edge Computing(MEC) and scalability and performance enhancements through the separation of the NTN Radio Access Network (RAN) data/control planes, may also introduce vulnerabilities that would allow an attacker to sniff, change or insert traffic. Moreover, Satcom-specific performance enhancement layers for managing intermittent transport (backhaul) connectivity, quality of service (QoS) and mobility support also introduce new security risks through management interfaces. To bridge these gaps, the activity will define typical 5G Satcom scenarios covering direct access (broadband and IoT) and transport connectivity where it will identify potential security risks along with the associated threats. These will be the basis to develop reference security architectures, which will also consider satellite-terrestrial integration aspects. The activity will then develop security mechanisms for detection of anomalies, threats, and to select the mitigation strategies leveraging the possibility of centralising and processing very large amounts of network monitoring data. To validate the developments, the activity will implement an end-to-end test bed with over-the-air demonstration capabilities. It will serve ARTES industry as platform for the development, testing, validation and satellite live demonstration of future security solutions for 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).

Directorate: Directorate Telecom Integrated Applica
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Florence Odette Jeanne Glandieres
Initiating Service: TIA-TFA
IP Measure: N/A
Prog. Reference: E/0534-03A – 5G-Other Act. Prod&T
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+CA+CH+DE+DK+EL+ES+FI+GB+HU+IE+IT+LU+NO+PT+RO+SE
Technology Keywords: 6-A-IV-Telecom Equipment
Products Keywords: 4-B-5-Ground Station Monitoring & Control