Brute force and broken trust. (Source: The CyberWire Daily Podcast)

Brandon explains how the DoD’s new agile software acquisition reforms—and rapid iteration in satellite communications systems—could transform space-based telecom cybersecurity by enabling dynamic, “moving target” defenses that leverage the orbital network layer itself.

Key topics

• DoD Software Acquisition Reform: The Pentagon’s new “Software Acquisition Pathways” directive introduces agile, iterative procurement—cutting development timelines (e.g., from 12 to 6 years) and encouraging early risk acceptance to accelerate modernization.
• Software-Defined Warfare: Karpf connects agile development to the growing reality that modern military and commercial space systems are software-driven, cyber-enabled, and increasingly targeted by adversaries (over 120+ post-Viasat attacks in Eastern Europe).
• Space as a Cyber Advantage: He proposes using low- and geosynchronous-orbit satellite networks to obscure communications endpoints—creating a “moving target defense” at the network layer that complicates adversary reconnaissance and strengthens telecom resilience.