By Kevin Coleman – DefenseTech Cyber Warfare Correspondent
Our Nation’s Biggest Threat when it comes to cyber space is the closed minded individuals that fall back on old, outdated mental models and force-fit. It has recently become evident that a large percentage of these “influencers” stuck with a cold war mentality and are forcing a square peg into the round hole when it comes to addressing the threat of cyber warfare. One such “influencer” was not interested what so ever in what was contained in the encrypted portion of STUXNET. Think of it this way, the cyber threat environment is moving at 80 miles per hour. The vast majority of those actively involved in cyber defense and intelligence are moving at 78 miles per hour. The influencers described above are moving at 50 miles an hour. As the cyber threat environment continues to evolve at break-neck speed, the influencers are falling further and further behind. What is concerning is that the influencers of the past don’t recognize this or accept their cold war mental models are outdated. One individual in a recent cyber warfare training program was quick to point out that most of our current leadership were of the generation before the computer revolution much less the Internet age and this was why they failed to update their mental models.
Change is difficult. Individuals and groups resistance to change is caused by their perception that the change occurring is a threat to them. Changing one’s mental models requires you to move in the direction of the unknown when it comes to cyber conflict which has limited history. The change requires new skills and knowledge and in the cyber arena requires innovation, creativity and thought leadership. All of this is critical if the United States is to remain a military leader in the new global environment.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Cold war 'Influencers' should be given 'oversight commitee' posts so as to feel important and 'new blood' should be brought in to draw up a new framework in order to deal with this threat.
Why have most Cold Warriors in an area like this? Let them focus on the aspects they were trained for. Much of the doctrine, tactics, and technology of the 1980s are still in use elsewhere in the Army, which is something such "influencers" should be handling.
The biggest gap will likely be in the field as the need for network and information security integrates with commanders and fighting units on the battlefield. Yet elsewhere you don't need some high ranking General trained in fast-paced armored tactics on a base overseeing work like this.
I’m not advocating having ‘most’ cold war warriors in this area. Simple fact is they are there, attempting to build a framework for digital operations, an environment they don’t completely understand.
You’re right, they should be overseeing the running of all that cold war hardware etc, but you can’t kettle them all within their disciplines. Since there isn’t anyone else with their seniority who is up-to-date with the cyber world to run the show these ‘cold warriors’ will run the show.
Then its time to look within and promote up. We are unlikely to find the people we need in the combat arms..heck, why is the military involved in cyberspace? Its not discrete nation-state war, so why should Pentagon be in. Shouldn't this be a DHS thing, with cybersecurity done by government, non-military entities?
Sounds like when cavalry boys thought mechanical tractors would never replace the charge of the horse and clash of saber.
What's needed is to touch base with the private sector infrastructure people, and poach consultants or cyberwarfare specialists and bring them over to the military. It probably can't be done because military culture is notoriously resistant to giant leaps like this. The leaders of today are likely Vietnam-era personnel, who served at a time when the Soviets were coming, weapon systems were designed with smart engineers with slide rules and calculation tables and vertical envelopment by air was novel.
Cyberwarfare is like the strategic bombing of the '40s, one can strike across long ranges at targets of interest, /provided you have the training, infrastructure and tools/ to get at what you want killed. I question if cyberwarfare is really something that requires the military mindset to protect the country. Perhaps DHS would be a better bet?
Sounds like Kevin got one of his wacky proposals turned down.
Let's hear one from our dear Comrade Oblatski then, shall we?
Taking a page from Comrade Oblatski, it is clear that network security and cyber-warfare are nothing but a plot by the defense industry to get more money after all. After all when was the last time vital information was stolen from the US Government?
He is the gift that keeps giving, isn't he?
Да здравствует партия! Эх, товарищ области "?
Hire New Blood, Train Vets in IS & IT Systems in a non threatening Tech environment, Hire Internet savvy Vets, Think Outside the Box, Be creative, Change the Old Blood for New.
Funny, "leadership" can be the easiest thing in the world, and yet many simply fail to grasp it.
Unfortunately, until the generation who view the computer as a "magic box" are gone and replaced by those who grew up afte, this will continue to be a problem.
I wonder if the author knows that defensetech.org is blocked by the ANOSC? Think about that…I can't get to a defense oriented website from any computer on the Army domain. I submitted a trouble ticket & was told that I needed to justify why it needs to be added. EPIC FAIL.