Mission proved portable, air-gapped, rugged cyber protection for critical infrastructure

OPSWAT, a global leader in critical infrastructure protection (CIP) cybersecurity solutions, today released a video of its MetaDefender Kiosk™ Mini operating during a near-space cybersecurity validation mission. The security solution, which sanitizes USB devices, external drives, and other removable media before they enter critical infrastructure environments, successfully processed thousands of malware samples throughout its journey.

Attached to a weather balloon, the MetaDefender Kiosk Mini reached an altitude of 104,883 feet (31,968 meters), where it was exposed to high radiation, freezing temperatures (as low as -45.6°F, or -43.1°C), and near-vacuum pressures (9.5 hPa). After nearly 230 minutes, the balloon burst, but even in freefall, the kiosk kept sanitizing and operating until it landed in a river.

The video demonstrates that the MetaDefender Kiosk Mini can handle cybersecurity attacks in the most extreme environments. It also supports the broader cybersecurity thinking that mission-critical systems need prevention-first security. That means operating locally, offline, and independently when cloud connectivity, fast patching, and onsite support are not available, such as in deep space.

In its Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 report, the WEF notes that 15% of global organizations now consider “dependence on space-based assets” (such as satellites, GPS, and satellite communications) in their overall cyber risk mitigation strategy. While most public incidents today originate from terrestrial systems, as space programs evolve and access to orbit becomes cheaper and more common, cyberattacks will not always start on Earth. The threat landscape will expand as governments or even commercial operators position spacecraft, satellites, or other orbital assets closer to a target to support cyberattacks, electronic warfare, interception, jamming, spoofing, or intelligence gathering operations.

“Space systems should be treated as critical infrastructure, and the cyber infrastructure that supports them should be treated as mission-critical infrastructure,” said Benny Czarny, Founder and CEO, OPSWAT. “Cybersecurity in space cannot be built around the idea that someone on Earth will always be available to fix the problem. It must be local, deterministic, segmented, and prevention-first.”

During the near-space mission, the MetaDefender Kiosk Mini operated as an independent system using local compute—meaning it did not rely on cloud connectivity during the flight—and used Deep CDR™ technology to process thousands of malware samples from removable media. Deep CDR technology assumes a file may be malicious, removes risky active content, and regenerates a clean version. This matters for space, defense, and other critical infrastructure environments where connectivity may be delayed, degraded, denied, or unavailable.

The near-space mission test shows that the MetaDefender Kiosk Mini can secure space-based infrastructure while withstanding:

• Frequent movements
• Drastic changes in temperature, from -45°F to ambient
• Humidity and water exposure
• High UV radiation
• Near-vacuum pressure
• Offline operation without cloud dependency

“More than the altitude, technology, and cool video, the idea was that cybersecurity has to work in environments where humans cannot easily reach, repair, or reset,” said Czarny. “In space, there is no simple onsite support, quick replacement, or easy second chance. The system must have full trust before it leaves the ground.”

Companies deploy MetaDefender Kiosk in sectors that often present significant environmental challenges, such as where routine operating conditions include flammable materials, toxic chemicals, humidity, dust, and varying temperatures. The device’s rugged design ensures even the most extreme environments remain secure from removable media-borne threats, making it ideal for long-term deployments in settings ranging from industrial to the office to space. MetaDefender Kiosk holds Class 1, Division 2 (C1D2) certification, issued by UL, which qualifies it for use in locations where flammable gases or vapors might be present and is a standard requirement for equipment deployed in oil and gas, chemical, and mining operations.

Watch the MetaDefender Kiosk Mini in space launch video and technical cut.

Source: BUSINESS WIRE