Safeguarding the Global Positioning System: Mitigating Risks and Threats to GPS Reliability
Exposing the vulnerable attack surface of GPS systems
The reliance on GPS (Global Position Satellite) in mission-critical operations underscores the importance of understanding and mitigating the associated risks and threats. Critical Infrastructure such as Airports and Seaports must take a proactive approach to safeguard critical functions to ensure the safety and efficiency of their operations.
Understanding the risks and threats associated with GPS within mission-critical infrastructure services is crucial. Both Airports and Seaports rely heavily on GPS technology for various essential functions and any disruption or compromise of GPS signals can have serious consequences.
Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure:
Essential Measures to Mitigate Risks and Threats
Implement redundant navigation and communication systems to ensure continued operations even during GPS disruptions.
Develop and test emergency response plans that account for potential GPS disruptions.
Employ security measures to protect against jamming, spoofing, and cyber threats. Regularly update and patch GPS equipment and systems.
Use monitoring and detection systems to promptly identify any interference or anomalies in GPS signals.
Train personnel to recognize and respond to GPS-related issues effectively.
Ensure compliance with aviation and cybersecurity regulations related to GPS use.
Understanding the GPS Attack Surface
Jamming
This involves the use of devices that emit signals at the same frequencies used by GPS satellites, effectively drowning out the real signals. This can disrupt all systems relying on GPS for navigation and timing.
Spoofing
More sophisticated than jamming, spoofing involves generating fake GPS signals that are mistaken for genuine signals. This can mislead GPS receivers about their actual location or time.
Signal Blocking
Physical obstacles like tall buildings or natural terrain features can block or reflect GPS signals, causing inaccuracies or loss of service.
Cyber Attacks
Since GPS systems are integrated with networked technologies, they are vulnerable to cyber threats that can affect data integrity and availability.
Looking to secure your business from GPS threats? View our guide.
Monitor the quality of decoding L1/L1S GNSS Constellations for GPS, QZSS, GLONAS, BeiDou, Galileo, SBAS
Deviation Monitoring
Identify variations in decoded signal content such as location calculation and time shifts performed by Spoofing and Meaconing attacks.
State Changes Monitoring
Monitor for changes in signal state: Quality, loss of signal, spoofing and meaconing
Epoch-Based Events
Events are epoch-based providing a history of observations across multiple deployed GPS Canaries using LOCH's cloud-based dashboard, accessible anywhere
Dashboard of Canary Health
Each GPS Canary reports to LOCH's cloud environment providing a rich history of its health across time. Detect variations in reception quality to narrow impacted locations and time of events that impact operations.
GPS Event Logging
LOCH AirShield GPS Canary Capabilities
Test Methodology
GPS Canaries listen to GNSS signals and report on data quality. Visibility to at least 4 satellites is required to lock a signal.
Deployment
A GPS Canary is deployed using a single power over ethernet connection and an external antenna. An outdoor-rated IP65 enclosure is used to provide external mounting.
Notifications
Receive notifications inside the LOCH Cloud infrastructure and have them delivered to your system of choice: SMTP Email, Syslog, Slack, WebHook, and others.
Integrations
Integrate the LOCH Cloud system with your existing monitoring systems such as a SIEM or SOAR using our OpenAPI-compliant API.
Enhanced Functionality
GPS Canary works in tandem with our current AirShield product line providing WiFi, Cellular, Bluetooth, and other RF-related visibility and security.
Zero Trust Enforcements
Across RF Wireless signals from 300 Mhz to 6 Ghz
Looking to secure your business from GPS threats?
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