CSCE 727 Strategic Information Warfare

National Security Issues Information Warfare - Farkas2 Interesting read: B. Baer Arnold, Cyber war in Ukraine – business as usual for the Russian bear, Homeland Security News Wire, March 13, 2014, business-as-usual-for-the-russian-bear Roger C. Molander, Peter A. Wilson, B. David Mussington, Richard Mesic: What is Strategic Information Warfare?, 1996,

IW Weapons Computer Viruses Worms Trojan Horses Logic Bombs Trap Doors Van Eck devices Chipping Nano machines and Microbes Electronic Jamming HERF Guns - EMP Bombs Penetration exploits and tools Information Warfare - Farkas3

Schmitt Analysis – International Law Article 51 of the UN Charter – Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations Article 41 – The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the Members of the United Nations to apply such measures. These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal,telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations Information Warfare - Farkas4

5 National Security and IW U.S. agencies responsible for national security: large, complex information infrastructure 1990: defense information infrastructure (DOD). Supports – Critical war-fighting functions – Peacetime defense planning – Information for logistical support – Defense support organizations Need proper functioning of information infrastructure “digitized battlefield”

Information Operations Command-and-Control Warfare Intelligence-Based Warfare Electronic Warfare Psychological Warfare Hacker Warfare Economic Information Warfare Cyber Warfare Information Warfare - Farkas6

7 National Security and IW Increased reliance on information infrastructure Heavily connected to commercial infrastructure – 95% of DOD’s unclassified communication via public network No boundaries, cost effectiveness, ambiguous

Information Warfare - Farkas8 National Security and IW Vital human services – Law enforcement – Firefighters – Emergency telephone system – Federal Emergency Management Agency Other Government Services and public utilities – Financial sector – Transportation – Communications – Power – Health system

Information Warfare - Farkas9 Information Warfare Persian Gulf War: first “information war” After the war: – U.S. concern about own vulnerability for IW – “strategic” level of information warfare No clear understanding of objectives, actors, and types of activities What is IW? –Academia, national security community, intelligence community, etc.

Information Warfare - Farkas10 Strategic Warfare Cold War: “single class of weapons delivered at a specific range” (Rattray) – E.g., use of nuclear weapons with intercontinental range Current: “variety of means … can create “strategic” effects, independent of considerations of distance and range.” Center of gravity: – Those characteristics, capabilities, or sources of power from which a military force derives its freedom of action, physical strength, or will to fight (DOD)

Information Warfare - Farkas11 Strategic IW “…means for state and non-state actors to achieve objectives through digital attacks on an adversary’s center of gravity.” (Rattray)

Information Warfare - Farkas12 SIW Operating Environment Man-made environment Increased reliance on information infrastructure  new center of gravity

Information Warfare - Farkas13 Strategic Warfare vs. SIW Similar challenges Historical observation: centers of gravity are difficult to damage because of – Resistance – Adaptation

Information Warfare - Farkas14 Dimensions of Strategic Analysis Threads: – Need to engage in multiple related means to achieve desired results – Interacting with opponent capable of independent action Distinction between” – “grand strategy”: achievement of political object of the war (includes economic strength and man power, financial pressure, etc.) – “military strategy”: gain object of war (via battles as means)

Information Warfare - Farkas15 Waging Strategic Warfare Creates new battlefields and realms of conflict Need identification of center of gravity – WWI: German submarines: strangle U.K. economy Airplanes: tactical use: reconnaissance and artillery spotting. Strategic use: 1915: German zeppelin: striking cities in England

Information Warfare - Farkas16 Strategic Air Power Targets center of gravity WWI: – Deliver devastating strikes – Civilian morale WWII: – U.S. targets German economic targets – Massive bombing campaigns – Crushing civilian morale – Paralyzing economy Problems: – Difficulty to achieve general industrial collapse – Grossly overestimated the damage

Information Warfare - Farkas17 Other Weapons – Cold War Military capacity as means to achieve political leverage through strategic attacks: – E.g., nuclear weapons, ballistic missile, satellite capability, WMD Massive retaliation – Ability to use is limited, e.g., 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary

Information Warfare - Farkas18 SW – Past Focused on offensive actions Largely ignored – Interaction between adversaries  difficult to determine utility of offensive action – Defense capabilities, vulnerabilities, and commitment

Information Warfare - Farkas19 Necessary conditions for SW Offensive freedom of action Significant vulnerability to attack Prospects for effective retaliation and escalation are minimized Vulnerabilities can be identified, targeted, and damage can be assessed

Information Warfare - Farkas20 SIW Growing reliance  new target of concern Commercial networks for crucial functions Rapid change Widely available tools Significant uncertainties – Determining political consequences – Predicting damage, including cascading effects

Information Warfare - Farkas21 SIW Complexity and openness – Weakness – Strength Difficult to distinguish offensive from defensive Public information – Vulnerabilities – Incentives

Next class Security Policies Information Warfare - Farkas22