ART OF THE POSSIBLE: SECURING AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND MISSION SYSTEMS FOR THE WARFIGHTER

Abstract

This research paper uses a problem/solution framework to identify how Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) can integrate and improve cybersecurity for legacy and modern weapon systems to reduce the cybersecurity attack-surface. With Department of Defense (DOD) networks and mission systems undergoing nearly 250,000 attacks a day, AFSPC must take immediate action to thwart the attacks from adversarial nation states and non-state actors alike. While there are numerous cybersecurity concerns, or non-compliant cybersecurity controls across all weapon systems, not all non-compliant controls contribute equally to the cyber-attack surface and overall vulnerability of weapon systems. For this reason, the major contributors or key issues surrounding the current cybersecurity attack-surface have been identified as policy, defense-in-depth, threat intelligence, and the DOD mandated transition from the DOD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process to Risk Management Framework (RMF). Utilizing RMF and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity three alternative solutions are evaluated to identify the best option for AFSPC to systematically implement to reduce the overall cybersecurity attack-surface for its modern and legacy weapon systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 23, 2016
Accession Number
AD1040939

Entities

People

  • Timothy P. Noonan

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Computer Networks
  • Cross Domain
  • Cyber Protection
  • Cyberattacks
  • Cybersecurity
  • Department Of Defense
  • Governments
  • Information Assurance
  • Information Systems
  • National Security
  • Security Personnel
  • Space Systems
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • United States Strategic Command

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Cybersecurity.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Space