The Joint COMSEC Monitoring Activity (JCMA): A Foglight for the Operational Artist?

Abstract

The Joint COMSEC Monitoring Activity (JCMA) is a new capability available to joint operations commands. It can be viewed as an instrument of command and control (C2) protection of command and control warfare (C2W). In evaluating its potential contribution to the conduct of operational art, its greatest value appears to be for providing near-real-time input of what the enemy is likely to be perceiving from monitoring friendly unencrypted communications. To the extent possible, this can fill what will almost always be a critical intelligence gap. JCMA's joint composition, forward deployable Joint COMSEC Monitoring and Analysis Teams (JCMATs), and speed of service offer a unique combat multiplier to joint force commanders. JCMA is well into a two-year proof-of-concept period and has performed 17 missions, including both exercise and real-world operations. Supported commands have expressed satisfaction with the results and stated intentions to request JCMA support in the future. It appears JCMA is an effective tool for helping operational leaders see through the "fog'1 of war. (KAR) P. 1

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 16, 1995
Accession Number
ADA297770

Entities

People

  • Arthur R. Thompson

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Command And Control
  • Department Of Defense
  • Information Systems
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Operations
  • Operations Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Risk Management
  • Security
  • Signals Intelligence
  • Students
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • United States Central Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Cybersecurity.
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control