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Meshnet Digital Armor To Protect Tanks
An anonymous reader writes "General Dynamics Canada and Secure Computing have partnered to develop Meshnet, a hardware/software firewall designed to protect networks and digital devices inside tanks and other military vehicles from hostile computer and virus attacks. Without adequate protection a tech savvy enemy can infiltrate networks, manipulate information, and deny crews the data they need to participate in modern warfare. Exactly such an event happened last year to an Israeli crew, when hackers from Hezbollah eavesdropped on their communications. 'The system uses Secure Computing's off-the-shelf Sidewinder Security Appliance ... Sidewinder consolidates all major Internet security functions into a single system, providing "best-of-breed" antivirus and spyware network protection "against all types of threats, both known and unknown," according to Secure Computing.'"
No, It doesn't. According to the PDF in the article:
I'm no security expert, but those don't sound like "strong links" in the chain.
The problem with this is that the spec-writers for government contracts don't know anything about the products they are trying to buy. Therefore we would end up with job specs at my old job that said stuff like, "1 piece tank with no seams that is 6' tall by 6' diameter, delivered and set in place." Which would normally be ok except the only doors on the facility are 30" wide. So one could imagine that the spec for these systems had some kind of requirement for the vendor to remotely update many tanks/vehicles at a time but they have to be totally impervious to virii and/or malware. Something that most of us know is completely impossible but some purchasing guy for the Army doesn't give a rats ass about because it's not his problem and it's not his money, it's the vendor's problem and my money.
Not all life is cyber. Extra Income
The OS is a hardened version of BSD. To make any kernel level changes, you need to boot into a non-operational mode (has no network functions).
The management can be done through a windows system (currently a pyton application) or via command line.
The sorry state of affairs today in that our boys on the field rely TOO MUCH on TECHNOLOGY is reflected in what happens when that technology FAILS. People DIE.
a) Technology can give you a huge advantage over The Enemy(tm). Which is why the US led coalition was able to dominate in Desert Storm.
b) Because technology acts as a "force multiplier," meaning you can do a lot more with less people/tanks/planes/etc.. Without high technology we would need many more real live people in the military. So you either pay the cost in technology or you pay the cost with a larger percentage of your population in uniform and/or in harm's way.
c) Technology requires "less skill" to use. Having infrared sensors, laser range findings, and a computerized fire control system makes the M-1's main gun very deadly. How long would it take for a gunner to get that good using just the Mark I Eyeball and human skill? People in the military should be focused on winning, and not on frantically having to look up wind speed on paper firing tables before taking a shot.
#5 social engineering. The secretary will let you in, and she's easily tricked.
No weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men.-Ronald Reagan
Well, that's not entirely true. For example: 2.4 GHz, which is an ISM band in the United States, is used by the French military in France. Therefore, a number of common electronics, like cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, 802.11, etc., have faced problems with the government banning their use; over time, industry groups have been able to cut through the red tape, but both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi was not allowed in France for several years after it was already in wide use in other countries.
Take off every sig. For great justice.
Absolutely it's odd, since Hezbollah wasn't really able to listen in on the Israeli radio's, they just used Direction Finding to locate where the Israelies were broadcasting from, and used that to plot where the Israelies were and where they were going.
There was no great security hack, just monitoring and DF'ing the encrypted radio traffic. I don't need to know what is actually said. If I can track the enemies location by simple DF'ing of their communications, I can quickly locate them and then track their movements. And when that indicates that a large number of radio's are moving up the valley towards my position, I know to be ready to attack, defend or run.
I'm too lazy to compose a creative sig.