1.2 Basics of Information Warfare
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The term “information warfare” refers to a set of measures aimed at preventing
unauthorized use, damage, or destruction of the elements of own information infrastructure (II), while using, violating the integrity or destroying the elements of the
enemy’s II to ensure information superiority in peacetime, as well as various stages
of preparation and conduct of operations.
For information warfare, specific means are developed. They can be either
defensive or offensive.
The need to create a multi-level protection system is due to the fact that the
interconnection of all promising information systems is intended to be implemented
through a single global network for users of any level. The developed tools (network
encryptors, a set of software and hardware) will have to ensure verification of the
legality of access to information resources, identification of users, registration of all
actions of consumers and personnel with the possibility of prompt and subsequent
analysis, as well as the required level of confidentiality.
By methods of introducing adversary information into the information resources
of the adversary and the impact on them, the offensive means of hardware and
software impact (MHSI) are divided into the following classes:
– “Logic bomb” is a hidden control program that, following a certain signal or at a
given time, sets off a malicious function to destroy or distort information, prevents
access to certain important fragments of the managing information resource, or
disrupts the work of hardware and software. Such intervention in the ACS using
troops and weapons can fundamentally affect the course and outcome of the battle,
the operation;
– “Software virus” is a specialized software product capable of reproducing logic
bombs to remotely introduce them into the enemy’s information networks. Independently propagating, it can get attached to programs and transmitted over the
network;
– “Trojan” is a program introduced for the implementation of hidden unauthorized
access to the enemy’s data array in order to obtain intelligence information;
– Test neutralizer, ensuring the preservation of natural and artificial software defects;
– Deliberately created interfaces used to enter the system, hidden from the real user,
and introduced into the software by developers for the purposes of gain, sabotage,
or disruption;
– Compact devices capable of generating high-power electromagnetic radiation to
bring communications-electronics equipment out of service.
From the point of view of causing the maximum possible damage, information elements of missile attack warning and space control systems, senior management points and their corresponding computation and communication centers can be
considered as the primary targets for the use of MHSI. In peacetime, this may have an
impact on such important state targets as banking system, air traffic control system,
hydro power plant control system, as well as have a psychological effect on the
population of the adversary state using radio and television broadcasting facilities.
The characteristic MHSI features include universality, secrecy, surprise, cost
effectiveness, multivariance, and freedom of movement in space and time.
15
The term “information warfare” refers to a set of measures aimed at preventing
unauthorized use, damage, or destruction of the elements of own information infrastructure (II), while using, violating the integrity or destroying the elements of the
enemy’s II to ensure information superiority in peacetime, as well as various stages
of preparation and conduct of operations.
For information warfare, specific means are developed. They can be either
defensive or offensive.
The need to create a multi-level protection system is due to the fact that the
interconnection of all promising information systems is intended to be implemented
through a single global network for users of any level. The developed tools (network
encryptors, a set of software and hardware) will have to ensure verification of the
legality of access to information resources, identification of users, registration of all
actions of consumers and personnel with the possibility of prompt and subsequent
analysis, as well as the required level of confidentiality.
By methods of introducing adversary information into the information resources
of the adversary and the impact on them, the offensive means of hardware and
software impact (MHSI) are divided into the following classes:
– “Logic bomb” is a hidden control program that, following a certain signal or at a
given time, sets off a malicious function to destroy or distort information, prevents
access to certain important fragments of the managing information resource, or
disrupts the work of hardware and software. Such intervention in the ACS using
troops and weapons can fundamentally affect the course and outcome of the battle,
the operation;
– “Software virus” is a specialized software product capable of reproducing logic
bombs to remotely introduce them into the enemy’s information networks. Independently propagating, it can get attached to programs and transmitted over the
network;
– “Trojan” is a program introduced for the implementation of hidden unauthorized
access to the enemy’s data array in order to obtain intelligence information;
– Test neutralizer, ensuring the preservation of natural and artificial software defects;
– Deliberately created interfaces used to enter the system, hidden from the real user,
and introduced into the software by developers for the purposes of gain, sabotage,
or disruption;
– Compact devices capable of generating high-power electromagnetic radiation to
bring communications-electronics equipment out of service.
From the point of view of causing the maximum possible damage, information elements of missile attack warning and space control systems, senior management points and their corresponding computation and communication centers can be
considered as the primary targets for the use of MHSI. In peacetime, this may have an
impact on such important state targets as banking system, air traffic control system,
hydro power plant control system, as well as have a psychological effect on the
population of the adversary state using radio and television broadcasting facilities.
The characteristic MHSI features include universality, secrecy, surprise, cost
effectiveness, multivariance, and freedom of movement in space and time.