Port and Rail Vulnerabilities in the Age of Information Warfare
Abstract
The United States military relies on military systems as well as commercial systems at rail and port facilities for rapid deployment capability. Because several of the systems that are relied upon do not have adequate security, an information warfare attack against these systems can and will deny the military the capability to deploy rapidly, severely hampering operational tempo. Information warfare attacks against U.S. rail or port facilities could cause so much confusion and the cascading effects could run so deep, that the US could reach culmination prior to even leaving the shore. It is vital that the U.S. make commercial entities aware of the vulnerabilities, and help to protect those systems where ever possible. Finally, just as the U.S. deterred nuclear warfare by stating that the consequences of such an act would be more costly to the attacker, so must the U.S. deter the information warfare attacker by assuring that punishment will be swift, just and costly. The U.S. military cannot afford to have deployment capabilities disrupted, delayed or denied. As the only super power left in the world, the US must be capable of power projection to protect U.S. national interests abroad.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA378712
Entities
People
- Elaine A. Therianos
Organizations
- Naval War College