Cybersecurity of Air Force Weapon Systems: Ensuring Cyber Mission Assurance Throughout a System's Life Cycle

Abstract

Air Force weapon systems today are heavily reliant on complex software and high interconnectivity to perform their missions. Cyber capabilities enable many ofthe advanced features (e.g., electronic attack, sensor fusion, and communications) that give the Air Force its edge over potential adversaries. But they also create potential opportunitiesand incentivesfor adversaries to counter U.S. advantages through cyberattacks. For example, a sophisticated adversary may seek to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in an aircrafts software, supporting systems, or supply chain in order to gain intelligence or to sabotage operations. Nor are the potential risks limited to the newest and most advanced systems: Legacy aircraft, which make up the majority of Air Force inventory, are also exposed to attack from evolving cyber threats and must remain vigilant.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2015
Accession Number
AD1002115

Entities

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accountability
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Command And Control
  • Cyber Threats
  • Cyberattacks
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cyberspace Operations
  • Department Of Defense
  • Life Cycle Management
  • Life Cycles
  • Risk
  • Security
  • Supply Chain
  • Threats
  • Vulnerability
  • Weapon Systems

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Cybersecurity.
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Microelectronics