18
1 Information Weapon: Concepts, Means, Methods …
A distinctive feature of information weapons is their focus on the hidden damage
of software and hardware systems for the transmission, processing, and storage of
various data operating in the information space or in cyberspace.
Main objectives of offensive IW:
– Deliberate information change (distortion, destruction, copying) or blocking;
– Overcoming protection systems created by means of defensive information
weapons;
– Technical misinformation;
– Disruption by a given algorithm of the normal functioning of information
and communication systems (telecommunication, navigation, meteorological,
communication systems; security systems of defense and military government
facilities; nuclear power plants; oil and gas transportation systems, etc.).
To fulfill these basic tasks, offensive IW shall have a set of hardware and software
to monitor unauthorized access to any databases, to disrupt the normal functioning of
the hardware and software under attack up to an instantaneous and complete disabling
of the key components of the information and control infrastructure of an individual
state or allied states.
In turn, the OIW individual constituent components are further divided into groups
[7]: defensive, offensive, and combined; it should be noted that previously means
of defensive (protective) information technology impact were not considered by
specialists as one of the components of defense against cyberweapons—defensive
ITW. Cryptographic protection, antivirus protection, and other means of detecting
and preventing unauthorized intrusions (attacks) were considered as one of the important elements of ensuring information security and countering unauthorized access
of some violators (hackers).
However, in the conditions of actual cyberattacks and information warfare in technology, according to Russian experts [5], a new classification category—“defensive
information technology weapons” (DITW)—shall be introduced.
The most accurate classification of modern information technology weapons is
presented in Fig. 1.3.
For instance, according to this classification, defensive information technology
weapons are used to collect data ensuring the effective use of defensive or offensive
information technology (and other) weapons, as well as against the standard means
of protecting the system under attack [7].
Defensive information weapons comprise the following components:
(1) Intelligence equipment:
– Traditional technical intelligence equipment, classified by the physical
media, where information is obtained;
– Computer intelligence tools (both software and access to physical
infrastructure);
– Open source intelligence tools;
1 Information Weapon: Concepts, Means, Methods …
A distinctive feature of information weapons is their focus on the hidden damage
of software and hardware systems for the transmission, processing, and storage of
various data operating in the information space or in cyberspace.
Main objectives of offensive IW:
– Deliberate information change (distortion, destruction, copying) or blocking;
– Overcoming protection systems created by means of defensive information
weapons;
– Technical misinformation;
– Disruption by a given algorithm of the normal functioning of information
and communication systems (telecommunication, navigation, meteorological,
communication systems; security systems of defense and military government
facilities; nuclear power plants; oil and gas transportation systems, etc.).
To fulfill these basic tasks, offensive IW shall have a set of hardware and software
to monitor unauthorized access to any databases, to disrupt the normal functioning of
the hardware and software under attack up to an instantaneous and complete disabling
of the key components of the information and control infrastructure of an individual
state or allied states.
In turn, the OIW individual constituent components are further divided into groups
[7]: defensive, offensive, and combined; it should be noted that previously means
of defensive (protective) information technology impact were not considered by
specialists as one of the components of defense against cyberweapons—defensive
ITW. Cryptographic protection, antivirus protection, and other means of detecting
and preventing unauthorized intrusions (attacks) were considered as one of the important elements of ensuring information security and countering unauthorized access
of some violators (hackers).
However, in the conditions of actual cyberattacks and information warfare in technology, according to Russian experts [5], a new classification category—“defensive
information technology weapons” (DITW)—shall be introduced.
The most accurate classification of modern information technology weapons is
presented in Fig. 1.3.
For instance, according to this classification, defensive information technology
weapons are used to collect data ensuring the effective use of defensive or offensive
information technology (and other) weapons, as well as against the standard means
of protecting the system under attack [7].
Defensive information weapons comprise the following components:
(1) Intelligence equipment:
– Traditional technical intelligence equipment, classified by the physical
media, where information is obtained;
– Computer intelligence tools (both software and access to physical
infrastructure);
– Open source intelligence tools;