Thursday, May 29, 2008

Space... Cyber and Otherwise

SN2 sent along a couple of links this morning, the first of which is a USAF document entitled “50 Cyber Questions Every Airman Can Answer,” written by Dr. Kamal T. Jabbour, ST (Senior Scientist, Information Assurance). The document is available here, in a 324Kb pdf. You might also want to check out the web site that hosts the document (Cyber Security Boot Camp)…if you’re into this sort of thing. You’ll also note the domain is “.com” and not “.mil,” making this site an unofficial USAF web site…even though it’s done up using the official USAF web site template. And all this just by way of introduction!
I went off the rails a couple of years ago when USAF revised its official mission statement. I’ll quote myself here:
So, I read over at The Officers Club (ed: dead link. The O Club is now OpFor.) that the USAF has a new mission statement, to wit:
The Air Force changed its mission statement yesterday. The old MS reads:
The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to is to defend the United States through control and exploitation of air and space.
The new mission reads:
The mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests -- to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace.
I'll begin with the only good thing about the new mission statement: at least The Management incorporated the old, unofficial mission statement: “To Fly and To Fight.” So much for the good stuff.
Let's begin the rant.
And rant I did…particularly about incorporating the word “cyberspace” into the new mission statement. That word still irritates me for some unknown reason, but I’m a lil less irritated after reading the following (excerpted from the “50 Questions” document):
2. What is Cyberspace?
Author William Gibson coined the term cyberspace by combining cybernetics and space into the term cyberspace in his 1982 story “Burning Chrome” and popularized it is his 1984 novel Neuromancer. Gibson described cyberspace as “a consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions... A graphic representation of data abstracted from banks of every computer in the human system. Unthinkable complexity. Lines of light ranged in the nonspace of the mind, clusters and constellations of data.”
In the minds of many, cyberspace became synonymous to the Internet. In September 2006, the Joint Chiefs of Staff endorsed a definition of cyberspace as “a domain characterized by the use of electronics and the electromagnetic spectrum to store, modify and exchange data via networked systems and associated physical infrastructures."
We dissect this definition to derive the scientific basis of its intent. The word “domain” instead of “environment” carries legal implications under the laws of armed conflict. “Electronics and the electromagnetic spectrum” refer to the wave-particle duality of radiation which, when modulated with information, creates a signal. “Data and networked systems” refer to digital information and application programs, and the computers and networks on which they exist, in other words data and applications, at rest and in motion.
For warfare purposes, we derive a working definition of cyberspace as “a domain in which signals hold at risk intelligent systems.” This definition recognizes three components to cyberspace: (1) the “effectors” encompass a broad range of signal-borne threats, analog and digital; (2) the “medium” enables effectors to access the targets, wired and wireless, hardware and software; and (3) the “targets” include weapons and systems that use computers or networks. This working definition of cyberspace effectors is consistent with Department of Defense Information Operations (IO) Security Classification Guide that excludes from consideration as IO weapons those conventional weapons that produce IO effects.
Perhaps I’m irritated with the term “cyberspace” because I’m one of those “many” who conflate the term with the internet. Another possible reason is I rarely…like: NEVER…heard an Information Technology (IT) professional use the term back in my day. I’m not talking about sysadmins, UNIX geeks, or coders…the lower level guys who make things work…I’m talking about senior IT people, decision-makers such as info systems architects and CIOs. Those guys never used the term “cyberspace.” And finally… I’m supremely irritated because I don’t have an alternative to the term. There might not BE an alternative.
(Full disclosure: marketing types used “cyberspace” extensively, which is yet another reason I dislike the term. Mainly coz the marketing types Don’t Know Jack about technology…their mission is to flog stuff… and are therefore very sneer-worthy. And sneer at them I did. Oh, yes.)
But back to my point: I’m less irritated with the term cyberspace today, and less irritated with the USAF mission statement. Thanks for that, Sam.
And finally: I recommend you scan the linked pdf document, even if you’re not a geek or a military type. There are definitions and brief discussions about things every user of these here inter-tubes should know… things like phishing, viruses, worms, denial of service attacks, and so on. Knowledge IS power, Gentle Reader.
―:☺:―
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg skate away as the Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jarkko Ruutu (facing) and Marian Hossa celebrate Sidney Crosb's goal during the first period.
John T. Greilick / The
Detroit
News
Well. It looks like we have a series that’s beginning to match all the hype that preceded the Finals. Pittsburgh won last night by a score of 3-2, and the game was close. Yeah, the Pens got lucky a couple of times last night. The luck began late in the first period with a bad outlet pass by Brad Stuart that hit Zetterberg’s skate and bounced right on to Hossa’s stick, who shot the puck only to have the blocked shot bounce right to Crosby who banged it into the net. Goal… after 137+ minutes of shut-out hockey. And then the Pens’ Adam Hall put the winner in the net off Ozzie’s ass…literally. Hall shot (if one can use that term) from behind the net, the puck hit Ozzie in the butt and bounced into the net. That, folks, was the winning goal. But hockey is like that. Sometimes you get the bounces, sometimes you don’t. Pittsburgh got ‘em last night. The Wings helped, too… the first goal came on a VERY uncharacteristic bad clearing pass and the winning goal happened because Ozzie was out of position, in part.
So. The Pens played with a lot more fire last night and, in the words of David Shoalts, the Globe and Mail’s hockey reporter:
It was a physical, punishing match — a far better spectacle than the first two games of the series when the Penguins were out of contention early.
True, that. Last night’s game was MUCH more entertaining than the first two. With the exception of the final score, of course.
So…am I worried? Not at ALL. The Wings still outshot the Pens, 34-24. Outhit ‘em, too…at 34-31…and took fewer penalties. I still think the Wings are the better team. Did I expect a sweep? No. Was I hoping for one? Sorta. Do I think the Wings will prevail? Yes. That was a stupid question. Next?
“Next” is Saturday night, actually. I think the Wings will win that game in a big way. Just a feeling I have, Gentle Reader…just a feeling.
Update, 5/30/2008: Blog-Bud Barry links to an article in National Journal about China, hacking, cyber-war, and widespread power outages in the US. The article gives favorable mentions to USAF's Cyber Command and to USSTRATCOM's efforts in this space. (You listening, Sam?) Well worth your time, if you're so inclined.

12 comments:

  1. The USAF mission statement sounds..........for a lack of a better word stupid.

    Hey Buck I have a question for you. If your Wings don't win how long should we stay away from you for our safety? ;) ;) I was just joking!

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  2. "The Mission" That was always the butt of jokes during my time....looks even more useless now.

    And the finals of the NHL had a higher ranking that the NBA in Detroit...no surprise there, but they also did much better than last years finals for game 3..good news for Hockey fans.

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  3. My adopted son is on his second tour in Iraq (he volunteered to go back) - and is doing security on computer systems - same job he had in the real world - he's an Army Reservist. Really important work keeping the emeny out of our command and control systems....

    I'll send him a copy of the questions!

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  4. I always cringe when someone decides to come up with a "mission statement." I never thought much about the word "cyberspace" - I probably think mostly internet, but the word "space" always gives me thoughts of things "out there."

    Flag gazer, I would think the work your son is doing for the military is very important in this day and age. Does he blog by any chance?

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  5. The original statement is concise and clear. The second statement isn't. What in hell are "sovereign options"?

    Good luck to the Wings in game four! Celts can earn a trip to The Finals tonight, although I have a feeling it's going to stretch out to Sunday.

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  6. Ash sez: The USAF mission statement sounds..........for a lack of a better word stupid.

    Hey Buck I have a question for you. If your Wings don't win how long should we stay away from you for our safety? ;) ;) I was just joking!


    Most mission statements ARE stupid these days. My theory and approach is: the simpler, the better... or less words. The classic example is Gerber's "Babies are our business."

    Pat sez: And the finals of the NHL had a higher ranking that the NBA in Detroit...no surprise there, but they also did much better than last years finals for game 3..good news for Hockey fans.

    That IS good news for US fans. I read yesterday that ratings are down in Canada. I suppose one would expect that, what with no Canadian team in the finals and so many Europeans on both teams.

    Lou sez: I always cringe when someone decides to come up with a "mission statement."

    Oh, Lord! Me, too! I've had the "opportunity" to participate in the drafting of mission statements for "new" orgs and it was MANY times worse than my recent surgery, in terms of physic pain.

    Jim sez: he original statement is concise and clear. The second statement isn't. What in hell are "sovereign options"?

    Good luck to the Wings in game four! Celts can earn a trip to The Finals tonight, although I have a feeling it's going to stretch out to Sunday.


    And Good Luck to the Celtics! About those "sovereign options"... makes the USAF sound like the CBOT, as far as I'm concerned. But in the end? I have no frickin' clue what the term really means, like everyone else.

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  7. Oh...I forgot to answer your question Ash! The Wings have broken my heart every year since 2002, but I don't think they will this year. But Shit Happens. If it does this year I believe my only option would be seppuku.

    OTOH... maybe that would be a better path for Mike Babcock to take, on center ice at Joe Louis Arena 24 hours after the last game. Gotta give the fans time to buy tickets. OTOOH... center ice immediately after the last game...as the Pens are skating with the Cup... would be a dramatic and fitting gesture, too. Plus teevee coverage.

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  8. The term 'cyberspace' always irked the snot out of me but I never knew why. After reading that definition, I'm still not sure why but it certainly continues to annoy me.

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  9. Buck,

    Still on the road. This retire, get divorced, sell a house, find a job, explore new relationship gig is rather all-consuming. Look forward to catching up when things slow down. Especially on yours and Barry's and Phil's and Jay's blogs.

    Haven't even had time to rant about the whole AF blocking of blogs. Old news by now, but freshly irritating every day!

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  10. Lin sez: The term 'cyberspace' always irked the snot out of me but I never knew why. After reading that definition, I'm still not sure why but it certainly continues to annoy me.

    It still irritates me, too. Note that I said I was "less" irritated. But it's USAF's mission statement that REALLY bugs me... ;-)

    Doc sez: This retire, get divorced, sell a house, find a job, explore new relationship gig is rather all-consuming.

    I think any ONE of those five would be all-consuming, Doc! To say you're "busy" would be an understatement of the highest order. And I hear ya about the blogs. Short-sighted policy, that. I really thought USAF would have reversed the policy by now. But noooo....

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  11. wow- is that playoff stuff not over yet???

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  12. Not yet Phlegmmy. Soon, and with favorable outcome, Inshallah.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask.