The National Counterintelligence and Security Center, in collaboration with the FBI and the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, highlighted potential risks posed by foreign actors seeking access via partnerships, takeovers, site tours, and staff hiring.
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center, in collaboration with the FBI and the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, highlighted potential risks posed by foreign actors seeking access via partnerships, takeovers, site tours, and staff hiring.
The shared message stated: “The importance of the U.S. commercial space sector, which plays a pivotal role in the economy and national defense, and its increasing reliance on space assets, hasn't gone unnoticed by Foreign Intelligence Entities (FIEs).”
Although specific nations weren't named in the warning, an anonymous U.S. counterintelligence official informed Reuters that China and Russia are at the forefront of these espionage threats.
In response, the three intelligence agencies recommended American space firms monitor suspicious activities, initiate internal threat management protocols, scrutinize vendors and backers thoroughly, and embed security stipulations in external agreements, among other precautionary measures.
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