D.11.4 - Space operations

Space Operations involves the activities related to the safe launches/missions of passengers or goods into aerospace and includes commercial, scientific, and military operations.

The recommended provisional security categorization for the space operations information type is as follows:

Security category

D.11.4 - Space operations = {(confidentiality, Low), (integrity, High), (availability, High)}

Confidentiality Low

The confidentiality impact level is the effect of unauthorized disclosure of space operations information on the ability of responsible agencies to conduct safe launches/missions of passengers or goods into space and includes commercial, scientific, and military operations. The protection of space operations from deliberate attack involves military operations (D.1), homeland security operations (D.2), and law enforcement operations (D.16). In most cases, unauthorized disclosure of space operations information will have only a limited adverse effect on agency operations, assets, or individuals. Special Factors Affecting Confidentiality Impact Determination: Civilian space operations are intended to be conducted in the open. Administrative and business functions associated with space operations may involve proprietary, procurement-sensitive, and Privacy Act information. The Privacy Act Information provisional impact levels are documented in the Personal Identity and Authentication information type. In such cases, the confidentiality impact resulting from unauthorized disclosure can be moderate. Some information regarding space operations (particularly military operations) is classified national security information and is outside the scope of this guideline. Recommended Confidentiality Impact Level: The provisional confidentiality impact level recommended for space operations information is low.

Integrity High

The integrity impact level is based on the specific mission and the data supporting that mission, not on the time required to detect the modification or destruction of information. Space operations are typically characterized by critical operational timing and safety parameters, and low tolerance for error. Unauthorized modification or destruction of time-critical information necessary to these functions may result in significant property loss and loss of human lives. Communications management (e.g., frequency management) information also needs to be included in integrity impact determination for space operations. Erroneous frequency assignment information can result in loss of communications with spacecraft that can endanger mission operations and human safety. Recommended Integrity Impact Level: The provisional integrity impact level recommended for space operations information is high.

Availability High

The availability impact level is based on the specific mission and the data supporting that mission, not on the time required to re-establish access to space operations information. Space operations are typically characterized by critical operational timing and safety parameters and low tolerance for error. Loss of availability of time-critical information necessary to these functions can result in large-scale property loss and in loss of human lives. Also, air operations are not tolerant of information loss. Recommended Availability Impact Level: The provisional availability impact level recommended for space operations information is high.