Abstract: This article presents assumptions about the threat to air force weapon systems which today are heavily dependent on complex software and a large number of interconnections to accomplish combat missions. Cyber capabilities enable many advanced functions (e.g., electronic attack, sensor interconnection and communications) that give combat aviation an advantage over potential adversaries. However, they also create potential opportunities and incentives for adversaries to counter the air force's superiority through cyberattacks. The author discusses how a sophisticated adversary may seek to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in aircraft software, support systems or the supply chain to gain intelligence or sabotage operations. The potential risk is not just limited to the newest and most advanced systems but also to systems that will be going out of service within the next decade or two. Older aircraft, which currently still make up the majority of US Air Force assets, are also vulnerable to attack from evolving cyber threats and must be protected. Cyber security audits show that current policies are better suited to simple, stable and predictable environments than to the complex, rapidly changing and unpredictable reality of today's cyber security environment. The model cybersecurity policy is intended to serve as a guide to help countries and their armed forces focus resources and activities to achieve a systemic approach to cyber security, including current and future combat systems being introduced. The author points out that the goal of developing new solutions is for states and stakeholders to be able to develop a systems-of-systems approach to protect against cyber threats and respond to and recover from cyber incidents in a timely manner, thereby increasing resilience to new threats without significant disruption to the use of combat systems. Keywords: Cyber security; Security environment; System of systems; Security policy; Security culture; Air force; Combat aviation; Combat systems
Cybersecurity of United States Air Force Weapons Systems – ensuring mission security
2023
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
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