WASHINGTON, USA – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) launched an important new resource on GitHub to help safeguard critical infrastructure: the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Test Vector Suite and Distribution Methodology. This effort supports Executive Order 13905, which aims to protect essential Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems used in industries like energy, transportation and telecommunications.
PNT systems rely on accurate GNSS signals to function properly. If these signals are disrupted – whether by natural events, technical failures, or cyber threats – critical services could be impacted. To address this risk, the GNSS Test Vector Suite and Distribution Methodology provides critical infrastructure owners and operators the tools to independently identify and define appropriate test scenarios that support standards conformity assessments, to help evaluate and improve the resilience of their systems.
“Accurate and precise Positioning, Navigation, and Timing information is vital to the nation’s critical infrastructure and is the backbone of the many services we depend on daily, from keeping our lights on to ensuring planes land safely,” said Julie Brewer, DHS acting under secretary for science and technology. “This new toolset gives people responsible for safeguarding these systems a way to independently test and strengthen them, ensuring our nation’s infrastructure is more secure against potential disruptions.”
The GNSS Test Vector Suite includes a standardised set of test scenarios and tools that allow developers and testers to assess how well their equipment can handle challenges like signal interference or spoofing attempts.
The process works as follows:
- The GNSS Test Vector Suite generates simulated data;
- The data is converted into signals that mimic real-world GNSS systems;
- These signals are fed into designated GNSS devices or other PNT equipment, enabling users to evaluate how their systems respond to simulated disruptions.
By offering this testing capability, S&T is helping critical infrastructure operators identify vulnerabilities in PNT systems and ensure they meet established resilience standards. This is a critical step in protecting the essential systems that Americans rely on every day.
