Holding DOD personnel and third-party contractors more accountable for slip-ups. Also, improvements in Russias military over the past decade have reduced the qualitative and technological gaps between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There is instead decentralized responsibility across DOD, coupled with a number of reactive and ad hoc measures that leave DOD without a complete picture of its supply chain, dynamic understanding of the scope and scale of its vulnerabilities, and consistent mechanisms to rapidly remediate these vulnerabilities. Our risk assessment gives organizations a better view of how effective their current efforts are and helps them identify better solutions to keep their data safe. The public-private cybersecurity partnership provides a collaborative environment for crowd-sourced threat sharing at both unclassified and classified levels, CDC cyber resilience analysis, and cyber security-as-a-service pilot . Course Library: Common Cyber Threat Indicators and Countermeasures Page 8 Removable Media The Threat Removable media is any type of storage device that can be added to and removed from a computer while the system is running.Adversaries may use removable media to gain access to your system. In addition to congressional action through the NDAA, DOD could take a number of steps to reinforce legislative efforts to improve the cybersecurity of key weapons systems and functions. A backup control center is used in more critical applications to provide a secondary control system if there is a catastrophic loss of the main system. Innovations in technology and weaponry have produced highly complex weapons systems, such as those in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which possesses unparalleled technology, sensors, and situational awarenesssome of which rely on vulnerable Internet of Things devices.37 In a pithy depiction, Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein describes the F-35 as a computer that happens to fly.38 However, the increasingly computerized and networked nature of these weapons systems makes it exponentially more difficult to secure them. Recently, peer links have been restricted behind firewalls to specific hosts and ports. warnings were so common that operators were desensitized to them.46 Existing testing programs are simply too limited to enable DOD to have a complete understanding of weapons system vulnerabilities, which is compounded by a shortage of skilled penetration testers.47. 51 Office of Inspector General, Progress and Challenges in Securing the Nations Cyberspace (Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security, July 2004), 136, available at . Some reports estimate that one in every 99 emails is indeed a phishing attack. , no. But given the interdependent and networked nature of multiple independent weapons systems, merely assessing individual platforms misses crucial potential vulnerabilities that may arise when platforms interact with one another. Based on this analysis, this capability could proactively conduct threat-hunting against those identified networks and assets to seek evidence of compromise, identify vulnerabilities, and deploy countermeasures to enable early warning and thwart adversary action. Receive security alerts, tips, and other updates. This discussion provides a high level overview of these topics but does not discuss detailed exploits used by attackers to accomplish intrusion. To strengthen congressional oversight and drive continued progress and attention toward these issues, the requirement to conduct periodic vulnerability assessments should also include an after-action report that includes current and planned efforts to address cyber vulnerabilities of interdependent and networked weapons systems in broader mission areas, with an intent to gain mission assurance of these platforms. Some key works include Kenneth N. Waltz, The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: More May Be Better, Adelphi Papers 171 (London: International Institute for Strategic Studies, 1981); Lawrence D. Freedman and Jeffrey Michaels, The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy (London: Macmillan, 1989); Robert Powell, Nuclear Deterrence Theory: The Search for Credibility (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990); Richard K. Betts, Nuclear Blackmail and Nuclear Balance (Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 1987); Bernard Brodie, Strategy in the Missile Age (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2015); Schelling, Arms and Influence. The controller unit communicates to a CS data acquisition server using various communications protocols (structured formats for data packaging for transmission). 1981); Lawrence D. Freedman and Jeffrey Michaels. Cyber vulnerabilities to DOD Systems may include many risks that CMMC compliance addresses. The department will do this by: Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Four Pillars U.S. National Cyber Strategy, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Streamlining public-private information-sharing. 30 Dorothy E. Denning, Rethinking the Cyber Domain and Deterrence, Joint Force Quarterly 77 (2nd Quarter 2015). Essentially, Design Interactive discovered their team lacked both the expertise and confidence to effectively enhance their cybersecurity. Implementing the Cyberspace Solarium Commissions recommendations would go a long way toward restoring confidence in the security and resilience of the U.S. military capabilities that are the foundation of the Nations deterrent. The consequences are significant, particularly in the nuclear command and control realm, because not employing a capability could undermine positive and negative control over nuclear weapons and inevitably the stability of nuclear deterrence. One study found that 73% of companies have at least 1 critical security misconfiguration that could potentially expose them to an attack. Information gathered and activities conducted to identify, deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage, other intelligence activities, sabotage, or assassinations conducted for or on behalf of foreign powers, organizations or persons or their agents or international terrorist organizations. See James D. Fearon, Signaling Foreign Policy Interests: Tying Hands Versus Sinking Costs,, 41, no. The Pentagon's concerns are not limited to DoD systems. But where should you start? Establishing an explicit oversight function mechanism will also hopefully create mechanisms to ensure that DOD routinely assesses every segment of the NC3 and NLCC enterprise for adherence to cybersecurity best practices, vulnerabilities, and evidence of compromise. An attacker that just wants to shut down a process needs very little discovery. The business LAN is protected from the Internet by a firewall and the control system LAN is protected from the business LAN by a separate firewall. The Cyberspace Solarium Commissions March 2020 report details a number of policy recommendations to address this challenge.59 We now unpack a number of specific measures put forth by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission that Congress, acting in its oversight role, along with the executive branch could take to address some of the most pressing concerns regarding the cyber vulnerabilities of conventional and nuclear weapons systems. In order for a force structure element for threat-hunting across DODIN to have more seamless and flexible maneuver, DOD should consider developing a process to reconcile the authorities and permissions to enable threat-hunting across all DODIN networks, systems, and programs. - Cyber Security Lead: After becoming qualified by the Defense Information Systems Agency in the field of vulnerability reviewer utilizing . The control system network is often connected to the business office network to provide real-time transfer of data from the control network to various elements of the corporate office. Foreign Intelligence Entity (FIE) is defined in DoD Directive 5240.06 as "any known or suspected foreign organization, person, or group (public, private, or . Nearly every production control system logs to a database on the control system LAN that is then mirrored into the business LAN. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines a vulnerability as a "weakness in an information system, system security procedures, internal controls, or implementation that could be exploited or triggered by a threat source." Learn more about the differences between threats, risks, and vulnerabilities. Ransomware attacks can have devastating consequences. . 16 The literature on nuclear deterrence theory is extensive. . 24 Michael P. Fischerkeller and Richard J. Harknett, Deterrence Is Not a Credible Strategy for Cyberspace, Orbis 61, no. Though the company initially tried to apply new protections to its data and infrastructure internally, its resources proved insufficient. 41 Weapon Systems Cybersecurity: DOD Just Beginning to Grapple with Scale of Vulnerabilities, GAO-19-128 (Washington, DC: Government Accountability Office, 2018), available at . Actionable information includes potential system vulnerabilities, demonstrated means of exploitation of those vulnerabilities . (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018); An Interview with Paul M. Nakasone, 4. An official website of the United States Government. The use of software has expanded into all aspects of . In the case of WannaCry, the ransomware possessed the ability to infect entire connected networks from the entry point of a single vulnerable computer meaning that one vulnerability was enough to paralyze the entire system. Ransomware is a form of cyber-extortion in which users are unable to access their data until a ransom is paid. 3 (2017), 454455. Hackers are becoming more and more daring in their tactics and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to remain at least one step ahead at all times. 4 As defined in Joint Publication 3-12, Cyberspace Operations (Washington, DC: The Joint Staff, June 8, 2018), The term blue cyberspace denotes areas in cyberspace protected by [the United States], its mission partners, and other areas DOD may be ordered to protect, while red cyberspace refers to those portions of cyberspace owned or controlled by an adversary or enemy. Finally, all cyberspace that does not meet the description of either blue or red is referred to as gray cyberspace (I-4, I-5). 56 Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Using Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, Federal Register, July 14, 2020, available at . DOD must additionally consider incorporating these considerations into preexisting table-top exercises and scenarios around nuclear force employment while incorporating lessons learned into future training.67 Implementing these recommendations would enhance existing DOD efforts and have a decisive impact on enhancing the security and resilience of the entire DOD enterprise and the critical weapons systems and functions that buttress U.S. deterrence and warfighting capabilities. Our working definition of deterrence is therefore consistent with how Nye approaches the concept. Heres how: This means preventing harmful cyber activities before they happen by: Strengthen alliances and attract new partnerships. 12 Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Deterrence and Dissuasion in Cyberspace, International Security 41, no. Another pathway through which adversaries can exploit vulnerabilities in weapons systems is the security of the DOD supply chainthe global constellation of components and processes that form the production of DOD capabilitieswhich is shaped by DODs acquisitions strategy, regulations, and requirements. Prioritizing Weapon System Cybersecurity in a Post-Pandemic Defense Department May 13, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic illustrates the extraordinary impact that invisible vulnerabilitiesif unmitigated and exploitedcan have on both the Department of Defense (DOD) and on national security more broadly. By Mark Montgomery and Erica Borghard Cybersecurity Personnel who secure, defend, and preserve data, networks, net-centric capabilities, and other designated systems by ensuring appropriate security controls and measures are in place, and taking internal defense actions. 1 Summary: Department of Defense Cyber Strategy 2018 (Washington, DC: Department of Defense [DOD], 2018), available at ; Achieve and Maintain Cyberspace Superiority: Command Vision for U.S. Cyber Command (Washington, DC: U.S. Cyber Command, 2018), available at ; An Interview with Paul M. Nakasone, Joint Force Quarterly 92 (1st Quarter 2019), 67. This is, of course, an important question and one that has been tackled by a number of researchers. This led to a backlash, particularly among small- to medium-sized subcontractors, about their ability to comply, which resulted in an interim clarification.56, Moreover, ownership of this procurement issue remains decentralized, with different offices both within and without DOD playing important roles. The FY21 NDAA makes important progress on this front. 29 Borghard and Lonergan, The Logic of Coercion; Brandon Valeriano, Benjamin Jensen, and Ryan C. Maness, Cyber Strategy: The Evolving Character of Power and Coercion (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018); An Interview with Paul M. Nakasone, 4. 41, no. The second most common architecture is the control system network as a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) off the business LAN (see Figure 4). 1 (2017), 20. Additionally, an attacker will dial every extension in the company looking for modems hung off the corporate phone system. 55 Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, available at ; DOD, Press Briefing by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen M. Lord, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Kevin Fahey, and Chief Information Security Officer for Acquisition Katie Arrington, January 31, 2020, available at . April 29, 2019. This page contains a web-friendly version of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Binding Operational Directive 19-02, "Vulnerability Remediation Requirements for Internet-Accessible Systems". This could take place in positive or negative formsin other words, perpetrating information as a means to induce operations to erroneously make a decision to employ a capability or to refrain from carrying out a lawful order. 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