Report Of The Defense Science Board Summer Study Task Force On Information Architecture For The Battlefield

This publication represents the final report of the Defense Science Board Summer Study Task Force on Information Architecture for the Battlefield. This DSB Task Force was charged to make recommendations for implementing an information architecture that would enhance combat operations by providing commanders and forces at all levels with required information display for assimilation. The Task Force was instructed to focus on information support to the theater or joint task force commander in preparation for and during combat operations. The global security environment provided the background for understanding the information needs of warfighting commanders in scenarios likely to occur in the coming decade. Based upon this environment, the Task Force assessed four aspects of information architecture for the battlefield: the use of information in warfare; the use of information warfare, both offensive and defensive; the business practices of the Department of Defense (DoD) in acquiring and using battlefield information systems; and the underlying technology required to deveop and implement these systems. This report provides detailed analysis and supporting rationale for the finding and recommendations of the Task Force. Some of the finding include that: the warfighter must be an informed customer, with an integral role in the determination of the operational output (specification of requirements), acquisition, and implementation of information systems; warfighters require flexible information systems that can be readily and rapidly adapted and/or altered to accomplish different missions; DoD information systems are highly vulnerable to information warfare, but so are those of potential adversaries; and the DoD can greatly leverage limited DoD resources by exploiting available commercial practices and technology plus “buying into” commercial practices.

Makes recommendations for implementing an information architecture that would enhance combat operations by providing commanders and forces at all levels with required information displayed for assimilation. Addresses four aspects of information architecture for the battlefield: the use of information in warfare; the use of information warfare, both offensive and defensive; the business practices of the DoD in acquiring and using battlefield information systems; and the underlying technology required to develop and implement these systems. Illustrated.

Includes documents, news items, reports from government agencies, legislative proposals, summary of laws, and public statements intended to provide an overview of the critical issues in today's policy debate. Both sides of an issue are fairly presented. Includes: digital telephony; the clipper chip and the encryption debate; information warfare: documents on the Security Policy Board and other efforts to undermine the Computer Security Act; and export controls and international views on encryption. Illustrated.

This book explores the political process behind the construction of cyber-threats as one of the quintessential security threats of modern times in the US. Myriam Dunn Cavelty posits that cyber-threats are definable by their unsubstantiated nature. Despite this, they have been propelled to the forefront of the political agenda. Using an innovative theoretical approach, this book examines how, under what conditions, by whom, for what reasons, and with what impact cyber-threats have been moved on to the political agenda. In particular, it analyses how governments have used threat frames, specific interpretive schemata about what counts as a threat or risk and how to respond to this threat. By approaching this subject from a security studies angle, this book closes a gap between practical and theoretical academic approaches. It also contributes to the more general debate about changing practices of national security and their implications for the international community.

This edited volume uses a ‘constructivist/reflexive’ approach to address critical infrastructure protection (CIP), a central political practice associated with national security. The politics of CIP, and the construction of the threat they are meant to counter, effectively establish a powerful discursive connection between that the traditional and normal conditions for day-to-day politics and the exceptional dynamics of national security. Combining political theory and empirical case studies, this volume addresses key issues related to protection and the governance of insecurity in the contemporary world. The contributors track the transformation and evolution of critical infrastructures (and closely related issues of homeland security) into a security problem, and analyze how practices associated with CIP constitute, and are an expression of, changing notions of security and insecurity. The book explores aspects of ‘securitisation’ as well as at practices, audiences, and contexts that enable and constrain the production of the specific form of governmentality that CIP exemplifies. It also explores the rationalities at play, the effects of these security practices, and the implications for our understanding of security and politics today.

This book responds to an request by the U.S. Army to study the applicability of commercial multimedia technologies to command, control, communications and intelligence needs on future battlefields. After reviewing Army's needs and discussing relevant commercial technologies within the context of a generic architecture, the book recommends approaches for meeting the Army's needs. Battlefield potential is illustrated, andâ€"drawing on lessons learned from the private sectorâ€"a technology management strategy consisting of specific recommendations to the Army is provided. The key to future benefits is for the Army to accommodate the rapid changes taking place in the commercial world of multimedia technologies.