Home Podcasts T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing
T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing

T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing

N2K Networks 939 Episodes Oct 11, 2026

T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing from N2K CyberWire explores the critical security connections between space and Earth, focusing on how space-based infrastructure impacts digital networks, risk, and resilience globally. Each week, the show covers developments in space and cybersecurity that link technology, commerce, and innovation, including the expanded attack surface of non-terrestrial networks. It is the cybersecurity industry's source for understanding how space-based infrastructure reshapes digital networks. The podcast publishes every Sunday alongside the free Signals and Space newsletter.

Episodes

Ordering a new space policy.
Ordering a new space policy. Oct 11, 2026 2219 Since taking office, the Trump administration has signed a series of Executive Orders that aims to boost the US's space presence. Host Maria Varmazis sits down with Producer Ethan Cook to dive into two recent Executive Orders signed by President Trump. These two orders look to significantly grow the US's space capabilities removing regulatory hurdles, encouraging innovation, and growing commerci
Earth’s expanding attack surface.
Earth’s expanding attack surface. Oct 4, 2026 990 As space infrastructure expands, so too does the need for cybersecurity expertise beyond securing traditional spacecraft. Host Maria Varmazis speaks with ⁠Milenko Starcik, Head of Cybersecurity at ⁠Vision Space⁠, and ⁠Andrzej “Andy” Olchawa⁠, Senior Cybersecurity Engineer also at Vision Space, about the growing space cybersecurity field. They discuss the role of compliance and auditing, how cyber
Space cybersecurity starts on the ground.
Space cybersecurity starts on the ground. Sep 27, 2026 1261 Though spacecraft are important, space cybersecurity extends well beyond these assets touching ground stations, mission-control assets, and other critical components. Host Maria Varmazis speaks with Milenk Starcik, Head of Cybersecurity at Vision Space, and Andrzej “Andy” Olchawa, Senior Cybersecurity Engineer also at Vision Space, about the broader space cybersecurity attack surface. By consid
Defending Space as Critical Infrastructure.
Defending Space as Critical Infrastructure. Sep 20, 2026 1592 Space infrastructure has become an increasingly important part of everyday life, which has also made it an increasingly attractive target for exploitation. Host Maria Varmazis and Sean MacKirdy, Area Vice President for the National Security vertical at Elastic Government Solutions, sit down to discuss how space stakeholders need to reevaluate their approach to securing space systems. As space sy
Space's cybersecurity policy problem.
Space's cybersecurity policy problem. Sep 13, 2026 1342 As space becomes increasingly connected and autonomous, effective cybersecurity policy is struggling to keep pace. Host Maria Varmazis and ⁠⁠⁠Dr. Mac McGuire sit down to discuss the limitations of current approaches for managing space cyber risks and what the industry is lacking. The two discuss how the space incidents have the potential to significantly impact astronauts by disrupting oxygen sy
When hackers control the clock.
When hackers control the clock. Sep 6, 2026 1423 The accurate timing data from spacecraft has become an invaluable tool for nearly every critical infrastructure sector and a greater target for malicious actors. Host Maria Varmazis and ⁠Andy Davis⁠, Global Research Director at the NCC Group, discuss the importance of timing in space. The two look at how timing systems have continued to grow more important in everyday life and why attackers have
Closing the space-cyber workforce gap.
Closing the space-cyber workforce gap. Aug 30, 2026 1877 Despite the space sector's consistent growth and greater importance as a critical infrastructure sector, finding cybersecurity talent is still proving to be a challenge. Host Maria Varmazis and Nick Cohen, Principal Engineer at the Aerospace Corporation, sat down to discuss the current state of space's cybersecurity workforce. The two look at how the existing workforce is not large enough to effe
Building a secure space internet.
Building a secure space internet. Aug 23, 2026 1492 As space infrastructure has continued to expand, developing secure space systems has become just as important as launching the spacecraft themselves. In this week's episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with Filip Rezabek, co-founder and CTO of Space Computer, to talk about some of the technologies being created to secure space infrastructure in orbit. The two discuss the importance of establish
AI, misinformation, and the future of cybersecurity.
AI, misinformation, and the future of cybersecurity. Aug 16, 2026 1308 As AI products proliferate, they continue to introduce new concerns, which have subtly eroded trust in imagery and content created by space-based infrastructure. In this week's episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with ⁠⁠⁠Dave Bittner and Brandon Karpf to look at Google's troubled implementation of Nano Banana 2 in Google Earth. The incident raises larger concerns regarding how AI systems are b
Designing space systems for the AI era.
Designing space systems for the AI era. Aug 9, 2026 1329 As commercial space activity accelerates, satellite manufacturers are rethinking how spacecraft are designed, built, and secured. In this week's episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with Jason Roberson, an Industry Value Expert for Aerospace & Defense at Dassault Systems, to discuss how AI, automation, and digital engineering are transforming the space industry's product lifecycle. From digital
The hidden risks in space supply chains.
The hidden risks in space supply chains. Aug 1, 2026 1179 As the space ecosystem continues to expand, the sector has become increasingly filled with new suppliers, manufacturers, and operators. However, while this development has led to the introduction of new technologies, it has also greatly expanded space's cyberattack surface. In this week's episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with Jen Sovada, General Manager of Public Sector at Claroty. During t
How sovereign is Europe's space industry?
How sovereign is Europe's space industry? Jul 26, 2026 1469 As space becomes an increasingly important part of global communications, national security, and critical infrastructure, European governments are confronting a difficulty: How much control do they need over their own space capabilities? In this week’s episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with producer Ethan Cook⁠⁠⁠ to examine the growing push for European space sovereignty and the challenges

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