Edited by Jacques S. Gansler
and Hans Binnendijk

This book was inspired by a workshop in which participants discussed information assurance issues as they relate to network centric warfare (NCW). The workshop objective was to gain insight into transformation risks in the following areas: trends in information system threats and vulnerabilities; vulnerabilities introduced by the complexity of the new digitized battlefield; impact of degraded information systems on battlefield operations; and trends in information assurance technologies and system design. This collection documents the proceedings of that workshop. By the very nature of their diverse experiences and concerns, the workshop participants offered unique insight into a multiplicity of issues. On occasion, their findings and conclusions disagree with each other. As such, the following chapters highlight the magnitude of the challenges we face in harnessing the operational and technological aspects of network centric warfare. The authors recommend that a top-down analysis is needed to frame the issues that identify the risks to military operations and national defense be undertaken to guide NWC evolution. This approach is critical to ensuring that NCW meets its goal and does not introduce additional vulnerabilities that jeopardize our military or homeland defense.

The opinions, conclusions and recommendations expressed or implied within are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or any other agency of the Federal Government. This publication is cleared for public release; distribution unlimited.

First Printing, January 2005

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