The Wild West of space: Can government IT tame the risks?

Space—the final frontier—is becoming the next battleground for IT. The insatiable demand for bandwidth is driving both government and commercial entities to look to space-based technologies for solutions. Remote sensing, global communications, and ubiquitous internet access are just a few of the promises.

This new frontier offers unprecedented opportunities, but also significant risks. Like the 19th-century gold rush, this rush to space must be tempered with careful planning. The "move fast and break things" mentality of the private sector is about to collide head-on with the bureaucratic nature of government IT—and crucial decisions are at stake.

The allure of high-speed, low-latency internet from space is undeniable, especially for those grappling with remote work and growing data demands. Agencies envision seamless connectivity for field offices, disaster relief, an­­d even international operations. But before rushing to adopt this technology, a critical assessment is needed. Satellite internet services are poised to become the next shadow IT problem. The ease of purchasing and deploying satellite terminals—often with just a credit card—could be a recipe for disaster. Imagine a rogue analyst bypassing secure government networks to access classified data remotely via satellite. Or picture an agency blindsided by exorbitant satellite bills racked up by "innovative" employees.

A decade ago, cloud computing promised IT liberation. The reality? A shadow IT explosion. Employees bypassed bureaucratic bottlenecks with a credit card, spinning up virtual machines with little oversight. The result: a sprawling mess of data silos, security vulnerabilities, and wasted resources. History is poised to repeat itself, but this time with potentially far greater consequences.

This isn't about rogue employees; it's a fundamental mismatch between the agility of emerging technologies and ossified government procurement. The pressure to modernize quickly exacerbates this challenge. While the private sector adapts on the fly, government agencies are stuck in a quagmire of regulations and approvals, making them vulnerable to quick-fix solutions like readily available satellite internet. This vulnerability is amplified by the sheer scale of potential applications for space-based technologies.

A proactive, multi-pronged strategy is required. Agencies must:

• Develop a comprehensive space strategy: Spinning up a space-based internet operation can’t be done without first knowing what you want to get out of it and where it needs to land. Planning is necessary to prevent an initiative as massive as this from failing. Have clearly define objectives, and develop a long-term strategy that addresses security, procurement, workforce development, and ethical considerations.
• Centralize reporting:  Establish a trusted team (internal or external) to provide ongoing management of space-based internet access to ensure that all the moving pieces are visible and moving in the direction outlined in your strategy
• Embrace automation: Supporting that team should be robust monitoring tools that can automate and track satellite internet usage and costs across the organization to ensure visibility and accountability. This is what will lift shadow IT into the light.
• Centralize & modernize satellite procurement: Streamline acquisition processes for agility and collaboration with private sector innovators while leveraging centralized control to enhance buying power, enforce security protocols, and ensure compliance through a dedicated space-focused IT team.

Just as critical as responsible management of satellite services is selecting the right solution for the job. If your goal is reliable connectivity for remote offices, consider leveraging SD-WAN over a low-earth orbit (LEO) network to deliver secure, high-performance broadband.

Modernizing legacy communication systems? A satellite constellation can provide the backbone for transforming outdated infrastructure into a robust, digital network. Need to rapidly deploy communications in a disaster zone or other remote area? LEO-based solutions can power resilient, "pop-up" networks virtually anywhere. And for seamless mobile communications, a LEO-based network can ensure consistent voice calling regardless of location.

By carefully aligning technology choices with specific operational needs, agencies can maximize the value and effectiveness of their space-based connectivity investments.

Ignoring the looming shadow IT crisis posed by accessible satellite internet is not an option. The stakes are too high. The government must act now to establish control and security in this new frontier before the Wild West of space becomes a costly and dangerous reality. Failing to do so could compromise sensitive data, waste taxpayer dollars, and undermine national security.

Don Parente is the vice president of sales and solution architecture for MetTel Federal, provides recommendations for agencies better manage space IT