Seminar: Cybersecurity for the Global Positioning System (GPS) - Nov. 15
Todd Walter
Research Professor, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford UniversityÌý
Friday, Nov. 15 | 10:40 a.m. | AERO 111
Abstract: GPS has evolved into a vital component of our critical infrastructure. ÌýOriginally developed over 50 years ago as a military navigation system, it has since been transformed into an indispensable utility, with over 9 billion civilian GPS receivers now in use worldwide. Despite its ubiquity, many are unaware of the extent to which GPS supports and enables modern life. GPS underpins our transportation networks, global communications, and financial transactions, enhancing productivity across a wide array of sectors, including power generation, agriculture, surveying, scientific research, and the oil, gas, and mining industries. The economic impact of losing GPS capabilities would be profound, with estimates suggesting that the United States alone would incur losses exceeding one billion dollars per day due to diminished efficiencies and service disruptions.
However, GPS is highly susceptible to interference. Its signals, transmitted at extremely low power, can be easily masked or overwhelmed by terrestrial sources of radio interference. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in GPS jamming incidents and, more troublingly, in spoofing attacks. Spoofing occurs when false GPS signals are transmitted, causing receivers to misinterpret their location or timing data. For critical applications reliant on accurate positioning and timing, spoofed signals pose serious risks, leading to potentially dangerous situations for users.
This talk will provide an overview of the GPS system, discuss its vulnerabilities, and explore protective measures designed to shield GPS users from these emerging risks.