Re: Asymmetric Warfare.../ERRI Reply (fwd)

[InfoSec News <isn () C4I ORG>]

Forwarded By: C. L. Staten <sysop () emergency com>

[This is the last I'll post on this, Any future comments can be taken
to private e-mail, To save hunting down a copy of "Unrestricted
Warfare," (An excellent read into the minds of the PLA in future
conlicts!) by Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui, there is a copy of the
.PDF on the C4I webpage at: http://www.c4i.org/unrestricted.pdf ] -WK


All:

If the one has not, I would suggest that he/she read "Unrestricted
War"(1) before making comments about threats and intent. One could
suggest that there is very definite "intent" of offensive information
warfare indicated. Secondarily, I might recommend that the reviewer
read my previous article on "Asymmetric Warfare," which was well
recieved at the Pentagon and elsewhere within the defense community,
before drawing conclusions about my depth of knowledge on this subject
matter.(2) As far as "oversimplification" of the topic is concerned, I
guess that would depend on the sophistication and understanding of the
reader.

Otherwise, Mr. Verton certainly has a right to his opinion and his
criticisms are appreciated and will be considered in our future
exploration of this issue.

References noted for the article:

(1)"Unrestricted Warfare," Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui, Published by
PLA Literature and Publishing House, 1999.

(2) "Asymmetric Warfare, the Evolution and Devolution of Terrorism;
The Coming Challenge For Emergency and National Security Forces,"
Staten, C. L., ERRI, 04/27/98. Available on the internet at:
http://www.emergency.com/asymetrc.htm


Best Regards,

C. L. Staten, author

Emergency Response & Research Institute
EmergencyNet News Service
6348 N. Milwaukee Ave. #312
Chicago, IL 60646, USA
773-631-3774 - Voice/Messages
773-631-4703 - Facsimile
webmaster () emergency com - E-Mail
http://www.emergency.com - Main Webpage

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-----Original Message-----
From: ISN Mailing List [mailto:ISN () SECURITYFOCUS COM]On Behalf Of
InfoSec News
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 4:33 AM
To: ISN () SECURITYFOCUS COM
Subject: Re: [ISN] The "Love Bug Virus Attacks," Asymmetric Warfare...


Forwarded By: Dan Verton <dan_verton () fcw com>


I found the below article to be somewhat of an oversimplifed analysis
of asymmetric warfare and cyber warfare. The issue of asymmetric
warfare goes much deeper and one cannot possibly analyze the potential
for an "electronic Pearl Harbor" without analyzing the threat and
intent. Aside from a terrorist-like attack (an attack meant to harass
or impair financial markets) why would an organized (i.e. nation
state-sponsored) cyber threat carryout such an attack? The most
practical reason would be as a precursor to another, larger effort,
such as landing troops or masking some other type of physical attack.
What countries are willing and have the intent today to actually
attempt this? There are some, but is it possible? The intelligence
requirements for such a coordinated attack are daunting.

The existence of capabilities alone does not translate into intent nor
does it translate into a degree of probability of success.

Dan Verton




From: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services
Monday, July 10, 2000
Vol. 6, No. 192

The "Love Bug Virus Attacks," Asymmetric Warfare; Future National
Security Implications...

by C. L. Staten, CEO and Sr. Analyst

Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI)


Has anyone noticed that the only thing that spread more rapidly than
the so-called "Love Bug Virus" was the proliferation of commentary
about it. In fact, the talk dominated many forums for several days
after the virus was first discovered.  Given this level of interest
that was demonstrated and the estimated BILLIONS of dollars of damage
that was been done by this virus...one has to wonder what the
intelligence and defense community of the United States is doing about
taking a pro-active stance to protect our vital infrastructures??

[...]

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