At age 18, most of us were just being thrust into the learning curve of becoming an adult, starting college, or bouncing around ideas of our career trajectories. However, Angelina Tsuboi, a young, gifted software developer and cybersecurity specialist, is far ahead of the game. Her efforts have raised the bar for aerospace cybersecurity while helping to push the industry forward with ingenious creations.
Tsuboi is paving a unique and innovative path to improving aerospace security with her unprecedented expertise at only the age of 18. This impressive cybersecurity expert and software developer has blown away industry professionals and with her broad skill set, fluency in over 20 programming languages, and incredible advancement in her respective field. Among Tsuboi’s noteworthy accomplishments is her time spent interning at NASA, where she helped to protect vital aircraft systems. Because of her creative thinking and commitment, she has been instrumental in creating tools like SatIntel, which are essential to preserving the dependability and integrity of aerospace software.
Here are five important things to know about Angelina Tsuboi:
Early Start and Proficiency
Angelina Tsuboi began coding at the age of 7 and is now proficient in over 20 programming languages. Her journey started with a simple maze game in Grade 2, and her passion for coding has only grown since then.
Notable Achievements
Tsuboi is one of the most esteemed developers for her age. Some of her accomplishments include:
•By 10th grade, Angelina co-developed an app called Megaphone to address communication issues in her school.
•Tsuboi is responsible for CPR Buddy, an app that won the 2022 Apple Swift Challenge, guiding users through CPR steps using vibrations, proper steps, and procedures.
•She developed Lilac, an app to assist non-English-speaking single parents, inspired by her own experiences as a child of a Japanese immigrant.
•SatIntel, an advanced OSINT tool designed for satellite reconnaissance, is another one of Tsuboi’s most notable creations.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
At 18, Angelina has started her own cybersecurity company, focusing on aerospace cybersecurity. Her projects include developing tools to protect satellites, avionics, and drones from cyber threats.
NASA Internship
Angelina interned at NASA, where she worked on aerospace cybersecurity projects and researched meteorites to understand the origins of Earth’s volatile chemicals. Her contributions aim to enhance the security and resilience of aerospace systems.
Inspirational Figure
Beyond her technical skills, Angelina is driven by a desire to use technology to solve real-world problems. She believes in the power of positive thinking and encourages other young people to think optimistically and pursue their goals despite challenges.
Angelina Tsuboi created a tool named SatIntel, which is an Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tool designed for satellite reconnaissance. This tool, available on her GitHub, is built using Golang and provides several key features.
SatIntel has incredible capabilities, such as the ability to extract telemetry data from satellites, allowing users to monitor various parameters and performance metrics. In addition, it can provide visual and radio orbital predictions, enabling users to anticipate satellite paths and specific positions.
Another impressive quality that SatIntel brings to the table is its Parsing Two-Line Elements (TLE) feature, which can parse TLE data, essential for tracking satellite orbits accurately. SatIntel integrates with the Space Track API and N2YO API to retrieve satellite catalogs, TLE information, and orbital predictions. Users need to set up accounts on these platforms and provide their credentials to use the tool effectively.
The command-line interface of SatIntel prompts users for necessary credentials if not already set in environmental variables, making it accessible for those familiar with CLI operations.
For more details and to access the tool, you can visit her GitHub repository here (GitHub).
Because the aerospace industry, both military and commercial, depends more and more on digital systems for control, navigation, and communication, cybersecurity plays a large role in facilitating both safety and success. The potentially disastrous effects of cyberattacks, which can include airplane hijacking, communication channel disruption, and interference with satellite operations, are the reason cybersecurity is so important in this industry. These risks may result in serious financial losses, fatalities, and dangers to national security.
Aerospace systems are appealing targets for cyber threats due to their complexity, which integrates multiple software and physical components. These systems range from satellite communication networks to the avionics and controls on board the airplane. Aerospace cybersecurity measures include keeping vital services available, protecting data integrity and confidentiality, and preventing unwanted access to these systems. To protect these systems, methods such as intrusion detection systems, encryption, and frequent security audits are used.
In addition, the advent of technologies such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) has further complicated cybersecurity. These technologies, while offering advanced capabilities and efficiencies, also introduce new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. Establishing a strong cybersecurity system requires a proactive approach that includes continuous monitoring, timely updates to security protocols, and collaboration between aerospace companies, governments, and cybersecurity experts to stay ahead of emerging threats.
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Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is the practice of collecting, examining, and sharing data from openly accessible sources in order to fulfill specific requirements. OSINT is the most common form of intelligence subtypes, especially as technology continues to evolve. Cybersecurity and applications like SatIntel are closely tied to Open Source Intelligence, contributing to the enhancement of threat detection and situational awareness. These tools utilize publicly available data to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats, enabling organizations to proactively defend against cyberattacks. By leveraging OSINT, cybersecurity professionals can gather critical information about potential adversaries, monitor emerging threats, and develop more effective defense strategies, ensuring the security and integrity of sensitive systems in various industries, including aerospace.
It’s never been more important for young entrepreneurs to share their talent for a greater good. Standout individuals like Angelina Tsuboi contribute heavily to the success and advancement of technology and innovation. Their groundbreaking drives industry progress, but also inspires a new generation of problem-solvers committed to making a positive impact on the world.
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