Securing the Invisible

Duke Cybersecurity Students Investigate Satellite Communication Vulnerabilities

At Duke University’s Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity program, students are pushing beyond the classroom to tackle one of the most underexplored frontiers in modern security: satellite communications (SATCOM). A multidisciplinary team of graduate students is leading cutting-edge research into the risks posed by unencrypted satellite data transmissions with direct implications for national security and critical infrastructure.

A Growing but Overlooked Risk

Satellite communications underpin everything from maritime navigation to emergency response systems and defense operations. Yet much of this data, particularly at L- and Ku-band frequencies, may not be adequately protected.

The Duke research team is focused on identifying and analyzing these vulnerabilities, particularly along the U.S. East Coast, where dense satellite activity intersects with critical infrastructure systems. By capturing and analyzing real-world satellite signals, the team aims to quantify the amount of data still exposed and assess the risks of unauthorized interception, surveillance, or exploitation using commonly available tools.

Their work builds on prior studies, including the well-known “Don’t Look Up” research, expanding its scope geographically and technically to better understand present-day threats.

From Signal Capture to Security Insight

The project combines hands-on hardware engineering with advanced cybersecurity analysis. Students have already assembled and deployed a Ku-band satellite dish capable of receiving live transmissions and have begun capturing and analyzing signal data using tools such as network analyzers. They conducted site surveys and established research infrastructure on campus. Also, they initiated the build-out of L-band collection capabilities.

The data collected is being evaluated for gaps in communications security (COMSEC), emissions security (EMSEC), and signal security (SIGSEC). The ultimate goal is to translate raw signal intelligence into actionable insights—identifying vulnerabilities and proposing both technical safeguards and policy recommendations.

A Collaborative Effort Across Disciplines

The project is supported by industry leaders, including Palo Alto Networks and DigiFlight, which provide mentorship, technical guidance, and real-world context. Their involvement ensures the research remains aligned with current cybersecurity challenges and operational realities.

The student team itself reflects the interdisciplinary nature of modern cybersecurity:

Abel E. Tavarez (Class of 2027) brings deep operational expertise as a former U.S. Army Signal Operations Officer, contributing to technical analysis, system setup, and research execution.

Jenessa Lu (Class of 2027, Canada) leads on-campus operations, overseeing hardware deployment, data engineering, and stakeholder coordination.

Ty Ehuan (Class of 2027, United States) serves as the online cohort lead, coordinating distributed team efforts and helping guide policy development and research framing.

Together, the team has coordinated hardware procurement, navigated supply chain constraints, and established governance frameworks—including Duke Institutional Review Board (IRB) considerations and ethical data handling protocols.

Bridging Research and Real-World Impact

What sets this project apart is its direct applicability. By examining real satellite transmissions, the team is not just theorizing vulnerabilities; they are observing them in practice.

“Our goal is to shed light on how much unencrypted data is actually out there,” explains Ty Ehuan. “Once we understand the scope, we can better articulate the risks to critical infrastructure and recommend meaningful solutions.”

Those solutions may include stronger encryption standards, improved emissions-control practices, and updated policy frameworks to address emerging threats to satellite communications.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

For the students involved, the project represents more than research—it’s an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to complex, real-world problems.

Jenessa Lu highlights the value of working from the ground up: collecting open-source intelligence (OSINT), building hardware systems, and transforming raw data into actionable cybersecurity insights. “It’s rare to get this level of hands-on experience while also contributing to something with real impact,” she notes.

Abel Tavarez echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative environment and the opportunity to integrate operational experience with advanced technical training.

Looking Ahead

The current phase of research is expected to conclude by the end of the academic semester, with plans to publish findings in the summer. However, given the project’s scope and early results, the team is already considering future expansions.

As satellite communications continue to grow in importance and complexity, this research positions Duke MEng students at the forefront of a critical and evolving field.

In an era where data is constantly in motion, securing what travels through the airwaves may prove just as important as protecting what resides on the ground.