We know that technology affects warfare. How we fight has changed dramatically over the years as technology has developed. We are in the midst of another significant change to warfare – cyber-warfare. Inherent in this is, of course, cyber-security. Warships (and on-land military support infrastructures) require multiple computer networks. Command and control, navigation, communication, mechanical equipment, propulsion, surveillance, situational awareness, emergency response and weapons are all tied into computers.
Could the computers connected to military equipment (ships, helicopters, missiles, etc.) be hacked and with what implications? What does cyber-security mean and how does it affect navies? And what is the Royal Canadian Navy doing to address cyber threats? I’m glad you asked. There’s a Naval Association of Canada Briefing Note that outlines the broad elements of this topic. Check it out at bn34-cyber-1.pdf (navalassoc.ca)
Link https://www.navalassoc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bn34-cyber-1.pdf
One thought on “What is cyber-security and what is the RCN doing about it?”
Right on! Good to know that the Navy is taking cyber threats seriously. Especially due to recent events [1][2].
Does anybody know what happened to QoL wi-fi onboard? Is it fitted on Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships yet? When I left the fleet all we got at sea was a movie Drive for the large screen TV in Main Cave. Most SATCOM went thru ‘interim’ FBB-500 with limited bandwidth, and we never had the luxury of crew morale things like Skype. It was way cyber safer though.
Also, I would not say that “Canadian warships rely on MS Office” [ref BN #34, page 3]. Indeed, we ‘use’ it a lot, out of convenience, as the ShipLAN became an extension on the IT infrastructure ashore with all familiar modules, i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. RCN uses COTS software and hardware as does everyone else.
References:
1. Massive hack of US government launches search for answers as Russia named top suspect
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/16/politics/us-government-agencies-hack-uncertainty/index.html
2. Why the US government hack is literally keeping security experts awake at night
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/16/tech/solarwinds-orion-hack-explained/index.html