CardinalSin said:
IS Ski Geek said:
Plonked in the deep end is probably one of the most honest phrases I have heard in a while.
What? Moderators are like senior officers - you never hear honest opinion. It's all that "boots fit ok? mail getting through?" rubbish - go on admit it!
P***taking aside Mr Geek - and nothing to do with the thread (can't be bothered to PM) - check out
http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/features/julyaug05/camocom_julaug.html - I know it will be right up the IS Ski Geek street. It's a right riveting read.
Excellent stuff CS and it highlights so many aggrevating issues such as..
The classification system affects every aspect of military information security. Military people understand how it works and apply it routinely. The same goes for security systems. For example, every security-related item on a military network in the UK has to be approved by the Communication Equipment Support Group at GCHQ, part of the British intelligence community. This can take six months or more.
The JSP states the hows and whens but the chain of command especially at SO3 Upwards fail to give credit to the acreditation process. "WE WANT IT NOW, AT MINIMAL COST" Security is a dirty word apparently!
This level of scrutiny applies to networks as much as to components. âEvery network must be approved for its classification. You canât just build a network. Someone is going to come along an accredit you,â according to Telindusâs Smith. The result is walled gardens and networks that donât. Itâs not uncommon to see two or even five different computers on some desks because each is on a network with a different security clearance.
Ah the finer points of network planning and installation, the RED BLACK and BLUE dilemma, of course the Cmdr wants all three and on the same desk. He does not give 2 shiny sh1tes for spatial TEMPEST seperation and classification. Much hair/wieght/sleep is lost and a moment of Eureka sees all three some how fitting together inside his office (with TETRIS style trunking taboot!). However 2 days later he has had some fly leads made and they all sit bl00dy next to each other next to his INSECURE and SECURE phone. Yes nice one sir lets have a chat!
The result is that approved equipment tends to be very expensive, lower in functionality and lags several releases behind the commercial equivalent. Once in operation, the requirement to give users greater control over processes means that much functionality and automation is switched off, resulting in a further expense and inefficiency cost.
Oh yes, the bang upto date PC running on an aged OS which does not support new hardware! At times a blessing (the SO3 wants to sync his PDA with his JOCS/CASH machine etc) but for many a tradesman a nightmare. "No you cannot have a standalone running win xp for your OTDR traces" etc
Of course this is all the fun part of being an IS Engr, Inst Tech and a Sys Engr. If we wanted it easy we would of joined the Foreign Legion
This little gem I found a little misleading more of a soundbite,
A further hidden cost is the danger of conservatism. There is much resistance to new technology such as wireless networks. âThereâs still a mentality that wiring the network is much safer in the long term than going wireless,â says Smith. âIâm ex-Royal Signals and Iâve gone into the field to deploy a network. It can take you four or five hours to wire up an HQ thatâs only going to be in use for three. With wireless, you can network while youâre [still] in convoy.â
Ah the wireless argument, Now dont get me wrong I am a cable guy but I do recognise the important of wireless installations. But there are too many "issues" with wireless to make it a viable option at this time and maybe anytime in the future. Its not all about "how fast" it can be installed or "how long " the BG stays in one place. Too many factors involved Im afraid. Mr Smith, it is not so much resistance to new technologies more of common sense to the threat, and you contradict yourselve about long term issues then talk of short term hops
As for the future as touched on in the VOIP thread we are going to see an increase in commercially provided capability and a drop in Forces self functionality/reliability. The CEO`s are laughing all the way to the bank, and we will continue to train the Co-orporate engineers and techinicians of the future, however once they have a COGENT/Paradigm/BA Systems/BT and so on emblem on their chest the Forces will magically recognise them as industry proffesionals placing their concepts above our own.
TELIC proved a major shift regarding Military run capability and Commercially run capability and like Garlic bread its the future Ive tasted it!