Information warfare

It is in the United States. With sudden disruption of its information and communication networks, the larger computerized systems have collapsed. A serious havoc has razed through its power plant and air traffic control systems; misrouted freight and passenger trains collide; funds from federal bank are being diverted electronically and some of the military's most sophisticated computer-controlled weapon systems are showing signs of electronic malaise. The FBI, CIA, Pentagon-people from all of these agencies are busy to fight against the malfunctions, but the enemy, the source of disruption, is hidden.

Indeed, this is a potential scenario of warfare and possible security threat for the countries of the world for the 21st century which has come to be known as 'info war' or 'cyber terrorism.'

Advances in technology have often had momentous effects on warfare. From primitive weapons like spear, harpoon to modern equipment like tank, aircraft or nuclear bombs-all these technological innovations had transformed the nature of war. The latest revolution is the application of information technology as a weapon.

The information technology revolution is transforming warfare. No longer will massive dug-in armies fight bloody attritional battles. The traditional notion about warfare marked by two parties armed with heavy weapons - conventional or of nuclear threat and use of military force, fierce fighting, capturing territory, deterrence etc. has been changed. Instead, as we enter the computerized 21st century with the internetted modes of communication, nations are vulnerable to attacks in cyberspace with the threats of wrecking one's computing, financial, telecoms or air traffic control systems. In this mode of war, neither mass nor mobility will decide outcomes, instead the side that knows more, will enjoy decisive advantage.

Information war is a completely new form of conflict that exists because of the burgeoning global information infrastructure. In fact, information is increasingly becoming a strategic resource that may prove as valuable and influential in the post-industrial era as capital and labour has been in the industrial age.

Information war refers to information related conflict between rival nations or between government and non-state actors like terrorist groups etc. It means disrupting information and communication systems through the infiltration of computer networks and databases. The relevant weapons might be computer viruses, microwave beams, or anything that can smash a satellite. On the battlefield the information warrior will aim to create an information gap between his side and the foe. He will attack the enemy's information gathering capacity and try to mislead his systems with decoys. When balance of power is not in one's favor then the weaker and smaller actor tries to turn the balance of information and knowledge in its favour. In contrast to economic wars that target the production and distribution of goods, and political wars that aims at the leadership and institutions of a government, info war would be distinguished by its targeting of information and communications.

Today technology is much more advanced and accessible. The difficulty is that the risk, despite the gains, is still very prominent. Now it is all too easy technically to penetrate the telecommunications and computer systems of nations or private organizations. The unauthorized access through computer hacking may cause systems and services to fall under the control of the intruder. These new technological capabilities called 'weapons of mass disruption', could not only transfer money out of bank accounts but also could turn off power grids or air traffic control systems, disrupt satellite services and destroy the ability to operate larger systems. Such cyber-terrorists could even introduce morphed images and messages into a country's radio and television systems, spreading lies and inciting people to violence.

These unauthorized activities can be done through an innocent-looking source and thus it hides the tracks of the intruder.

With all these, the threat of information attacks has already been unfolded. Countries like Iran, Iraq and Libya are reported to pursue information terrorism. And the main target states are the US and its allies. The US is vitally dependent upon information systems and networks in most important aspects of its life. Nearly everything it does-from designing and guiding weapons to conducting economic transactions-depends upon computer-driven information networks. Any clandestine assault on any of its information nodes will cause serious hazards for the country. Western governments worry that an information strike could crash their own computer networks. The US is trying to prevent and neutralize hostile acts in cyberspace. America's National Security Agency has already recruited hundreds of people to grapple with info war. Information war offices are even being set up in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

However, since sea changes are occurring in information systems, countries of the world can no longer provide protection from cyber terrorism. All the elements that make the modern society function could be at risk through this unconventional kind of attack. Though the magnitude and consequences of the problem are not yet fully understood, given the proliferation of satellites, massive databases, global computer networks and increasing dependence on these, cyberspace vulnerabilities is a matter of grave concern. Instead of traditional military security, nations now need to think of information or cyberspace security to survive in the 21st century.

The writer is a masters student of the department of International Relations of the University of Dhaka)