Air Force assesses cyber vulnerability
The more organizations become dependend on communication networks, the more they must ensure that these networks do not themselves become vulnerable to enemy attacks; this is what the U.S. Air Force is now doing
Unless we are very much mistaken, the term “network-centric warfare” emerged about ten years ago, when Admiral William Owens coined the concept of a “system of systems” in a paper published by the Institute National Security Studies. Owens was talking about the evolution of a system of intelligence sensors, command and control systems, and precision weapons which enabled enhanced situational awareness, rapid target assessment, and distributed weapon assignment. The U.S. Air Force, always on the cutting edge of technology, has been moved more eagerly to adapt to this new kind of warfare. Trouble is, the more an organization relies on communication networks to carry out its mission, the more it must ensure that these very networks do not themselves become a source of vulnerability which would hobble it. This is what the Air Force is now doing by launching a study examining the service’s vulnerability to electronic warfare against critical network infrastructure and systems. The new initiative comes as the service is moving forward with its plans for establishing a new Air Force command dedicated to waging war in cyberspace.
FWC’s Sebastian Sprenger reports that the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board was charged with the mission of assessing the risk of potential cyberwarfare scenarios and determine how they would effect on Air Force systems and operations. The board is also reviewing the Air Force’s current cyberwarfare defense capabilities and assess critical vulnerabilities in this area. Members of the panel have also been instructed to define technology trends and develop a science and technology plan which would help mitigate the impact of cyberattacks on Air Force systems. The group’s report is due in August.
The Air Force announced last November its plans to create a Cyberspace Command, and said that new command will be led by 8th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen Robert Elder.
