Cyber in Space: Working Together.
Addressing the AI Skills Gap, Supply Chain Standards, and Board‑Level Action.
The space sector is growing fast, but its cyber maturity isn’t always keeping pace.
How do we build real cyber resilience into a space ecosystem that’s expanding at remarkable speed?
Cyber in Space Glasgow brought together cyber and space leaders from across Scotland and the North of England to tackle some of the sector’s biggest challenges. The space sector is growing fast, but its cyber maturity isn’t always keeping pace.
David Ferguson (ScotlandIS), Helen Matthews (CyberNorth), Rebecca Hall (Space North East England), Beverly Bowles (ScotlandIS) and Becky Ball (Space Scotland) came together to discuss the current state of the cyber security and space sectors and the challenges that lie ahead.
AI is Transforming Space, but the Skills Gap is Widening
AI has changed everything. It’s reshaping how space systems are designed, operated and protected. However, the talent needed to apply, question and govern these technologies responsibly is in short supply.
To address this, we need:
- Collaboration across cyber, space, defence, academia and data science.
- Clear visibility of who is doing what across Scotland and the North East.
- Shared innovation spaces that bring these communities together.
Clusters like CyberNorth and ScotlandIS have a crucial role to play here. Initiatives such as Space, AI, Defence and Security Innovation Hubs are vital to help organisations navigate emerging technologies and build the skills pipeline the sector urgently needs. Identifying, connecting and upskilling cyber and space talent within our regions prepares the sector to take on the challenges posed by AI through collaboration and shared knowledge.
The AI skills gap is a difficult challenge to navigate. The AI world is constantly changing and evolving. Keeping abreast of the growth and development can be daunting, but it’s clearer when we collaborate and work together.
Connect with your local cluster, upskill yourself and your team, and prepare for an AI powered future together.
Supply Chain Cyber: A Risk Hiding in Plain Sight
The Artemis mission is a powerful example of what collaboration can achieve, but with a growing space sector comes a growing target. Protecting the supply chain from cyber threats is no longer optional, it’s mission-critical. Unlike other sectors, space lacks the international norms and regulatory frameworks that help enforce cyber standards and ensures that supply chains are not exposed.
The expert panel raised several supply chains concerns including:
- Low cyber awareness among smaller suppliers
- A lack of regulation or shared standards
- Limited adoption of “secure by design” principles
The Scottish Government’s funding for ScotlandIS to support Cyber Essentials certification is a welcome development. However, the uptake from organisations in the space sector has been slow. Space organisations are in a difficult position. Cyber Essentials is important but so is responding to the market quickly and getting the product out into the world without delays. It’s a difficult position that has no easy answer.
The mission to build strong supply chains has a long way to go. The knowledge and tools are available but the sector simply isn’t utilising them at the scale required.
The future of the space sector is exciting, but it must also be safe. Cyber security should be the starting point and not an afterthought or add-on.
Cyber and AI Need to Be Board‑Level Issues
Cyber and AI risk is important. It can’t remain tucked away within technical teams.
In many space organisations, cyber is still treated as an IT problem rather than a strategic one. This mindset has to change.
Boards and directors need to take ownership. Insurers can help drive stronger governance. Waiting for regulation is not a viable strategy
Cyber resilience must be embedded at the highest level if the sector is to grow safely and sustainably.
Innovation on Display: Lightning Pitches
The evening wrapped up with lightning pitches showcasing new technologies, collaborations and early‑stage ideas. It was fantastic to see all of the brilliant regional talent on display.
If local Innovators join forces with local cyber security experts, we can build something truly special.
The future of cyber and space is here, and we’re at the forefront of it.
A Sector at a Turning Point
Cyber In Space; Working Together came at a pivotal moment for the UK space industry. AI is accelerating the opportunities for collaboration. Supply chains are expanding. Missions are becoming more ambitious. Without cyber resilience built in from the outset, risks can grow exponentially.
The panel identified a clear path forward: collaboration, skills development and leadership‑level engagement are the essential foundations for a secure and sustainable space sector.
At CyberNorth, we channel this collaborative energy through all of our projects including the new Innovation Centre at Grainger Hub, Newcastle.
If you’re interested in coworking and collaborating with sector experts, read our Grainger Hub blog here and fill in the form attached.
