Operational Protection of Information Technology Assets. A Commander's Guide to Risk Reduction.

Abstract

Abstract : Information technology (IT) is an essential part of any military action. The U.S. military increasingly relies on the force multiplier effect yielded by technological superiority and plans to conduct information warfare (IW) in future conflicts to minimize exposure and risk to forces. Despite the clear advantages that IT and IW can create for the combatant commander, their use is not risk free. Heavy dependence on IT yields a target rich environment for any adversary wishing to conduct his own IW campaign. Current developments in doctrine for IW do not adequately focus on the potential ramifications of IW and fail to highlight the criticality of the function of defensive IW (IW-D) and the operational protection of our extended IT infrastructure. Thoughtful, methodical approaches to minimize risk are needed. This paper provides context for and proposes one such approach. Information technology (IT) is an essential part of any military action.