The risk in single provider satellite connectivity
Content sponsored by Vocus.
Army operations rely on assured communications. When a single satellite link fails, units can lose access to mission critical data at moments when tempo and situational awareness matter most. As defence organisations modernise their digital backbone, attention is shifting from single sources of connectivity to multi orbit, multi provider private network over satellite options that offer greater resilience and privacy.
In dispersed land operations, the volume of data moving between deployed elements and command systems continues to grow. Sensor feeds, logistics updates and tactical applications all rely on connectivity that remains stable under pressure.
Recent years have seen improvements in connectivity – Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services have improved access to high bandwidth links in remote areas, providing an alternative to traditional military satellite systems that are often limited in availability or capacity.
However, standard commercial services that move traffic over the public internet can introduce risk. Even with encryption, researchers have shown that adversaries can use traffic pattern analysis to infer the presence and movement of deployed assets.
Australian digital infrastructure provider Vocus recommends avoiding exposing military traffic to the public internet. “Using Layer 2 networking technology over satellite uses a different technology to internet protocol, designed to avoid exposing traffic to the internet,” says Vocus Satellite Development Manager Ashley Grove.
A private Layer 2 service delivered over LEO satellites enables defence users to deploy terminals globally where coverage and regulations permit, while keeping data within a private network that originates and terminates in Australia.
Defence organisations worldwide are also working to reduce vulnerability to congestion or outages from reliance on a single satellite network. As new LEO constellations become operationally viable, multi orbit, multi provider models are becoming a practical way to keep communications available under varied conditions.
Software defined wide area networking (SD WAN) can monitor each active satellite link and select the one performing best at any moment. Vocus Bonded Satellite can also merge bandwidth from multiple satellite services – including different providers – into a single stream. This can increase available throughput where conditions allow and reduce reliance on any one network.
The amount of privacy baked in to the supporting infrastructure also varies across satellite providers. Vocus operates multiple private satellite interconnects with Starlink, supported by an Australian fibre backbone that passes many Defence sites. This keeps traffic on private ground infrastructure, and in space moves data through satellite links without using internet protocol.
Emerging technologies such as satellite to satellite laser links add another layer of protection. Many Starlink satellites already use these links, and other operators are following. The aim is to move private network traffic directly between Australian ground stations and overseas terminals used by Australian organisations, without transiting foreign ground systems.
“Defence data is crucial and any solutions should aim to minimise exposure to public IP, internet exposed endpoints and cyber risk. Mission connectivity may be vulnerable to risks like single satellite network congestion and availability. These risks can be minimised by combining multiple orbits and providers, and keeping data within private Australian networks off the internet,” says Grove.
