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First time in the branch of spaceflight control centers: Accredited Information Security in accordance with ISO 27001

Photo: (from left to right) Alexander Hitzel, Accountmanager DQS; Prof. Dr. Felix Huber Director Space Operations and Astronaut Training . Photo: (from left to right) Dr. Martin Wickler, Deputy Head of the Department Mission Operations ; Alexander Hitzel, Accountmanager DQS; Marion Scheuer-Leeser, Head of Quality and Product Assurance (DLR); Prof. Dr. Felix Huber, Director Space Operations and Astronaut Training; Prof. Dr. Klaus Wittmann, Former Director Space Operations and Astronaut Training; Martin Brandthaus, Head of the Controlling & Akquisition and RB Quality Management; Wolfgang Kling, Information Security Manager, Space Operations and Astronaut Training.

The German Space Operations Center (GSOC) received the ISO 27001 certification on September 19, 2011. In June 2011 the Space Operation of the German Aerospace Center DLR introduced a level of security in DLR which is unique in the branch of spaceflight control centers. Today a ceremony was held in which Alexander Hitzel, Account Manager of DQS (Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Zertifizierung von Managementsystemen), handed over the ISO 27001 certificate to Prof. Dr. Huber,Director of the DLR-Institute Space Operations and Astronaut Training.

The certification stands for transparency: The ISO 27001 standard adresses the risk-oriented implementation and maintenance of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) in companies. Therefore the international standard is a proven tool to achieve a comprehensive and efficient information security.

Subject of this certification is the establishment and implementation of the ISMS for the operations of earth observation satellites. This includes servers, networks, network components and workstations of the German Space Operations Center and all other relevant support processes.

The implementation of an ISO 27001 compliant ISMS includes the rollout of technical protection measures and the implementation of organizational and personnel measures in an integrated manner. Most outstanding is the full integration of the ISMS in the operational processes as well as of the existing ISO 9001 certified management processes right from the beginning.

The ISMS of DLR Space Operations will be further developed and deepened during ongoing operations. As part of the annual review, the development of the ISMS will be audited regularly.

About the German Space Operations Center

The German Space Operations Center (GSOC) of DLR-Space Operations is the central institution for spaceflight operations in Germany. Here, groundbreaking space projects requiring top-level security are realized and new ideas for spaceflight of tomorrow are developed.

DLR Space Operations covers the following areas:

• German Space Operations Center (GSOC) and the Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) at Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich
• Satellite ground station ZDBS in Weilheim, Bavaria which is associated to GSOC
• MUSC (Microgravity User Support Center) and the EAC (European Astronaut Center) in Cologne, Germany

Since 1969 the Space Operation of the German Aerospace Center DLR has been successfully operating space flight missions. During more than 60 missions with different applications DLR demonstrated its competence in operating spacecraft of all kinds. This responsibility includes satellite missions for earth observation, communication and reconaissance missions as well as for the exploration of the solar system and human spaceflight missions. Furthermore, astronauts are trained, space experiments are prepared and sounding rockets are developed and launched from sites around the world.