Command and control set stage at DND

When it comes to IT, the best defence is a good offence

The Department of National Defence in Ottawa is one of the federal government's most hightech departments. Recent National Defence initiatives include: the Canadian Patrol Frigate's integrated Command and Control System, which allows ships to control all of their weapons simultaneously; the Direct Voice Input Card, which allows helicopter pilots to navigate and run their radio systems by voice command; and, remote-operated land mine detectors.

Reporter Andrew Clark recently spoke to Jim Judd, deputy minister of National Defence to find out what role DND plays in safeguarding information in the federal government.

TIG: Prior to your position at the Department of National Defense (DND), what career experience and involvement have you had in technology? How have these experiences prepared you for your new position at DND?

JUDD: My past experience has been of two kinds. First, as a consumer of information technology, principally through the use of a variety of desktop systems and applications in the office. As well, one of my previous assignments put me in the position of being responsible for an organization's domestic and international network of telecommunications and information technology systems. Neither of those experiences, however, fully prepared me for the technology challenges of National Defense, which uses hundreds and hundreds of information technology-based systems in both civil and military applications. It is not just the scope of the technology that is daunting but, also the pace at which the systems and applications (and their implications) are changing.

TIG: What are DND's biggest concerns as far as information security breaches are concerned?

JUDD: To ensure Canada's security and to protect the lives of Canadian Forces personnel. DND's biggest concerns relate to the protection of sensitive operational information. This includes, commandand-control information about Canadian Forces operations inside and outside the country -- whether carried out independently or in conjunction with other partners. For example the NATO operations in the former Yugoslavia or a variety of UN peacekeeping operations.

TIG: What role does DND play in safeguarding information? Does DND work with the privacy commissioner to ensure the safety of information?

JUDD: DND plays a very important role in protecting all sensitive information in its possession. This includes safeguarding information of a personal nature. DND is a strong supporter of the Privacy Act and strives to ensure the legislation is strictly adhered to by every member of the department and the Canadian Forces. From a technological point of view, DND is also involved with the other government departments in financing and developing "public key encryption" technology. The government will use this technology on its networks to ensure that all telecommunications traffic is secure.

TIG: What measures is DND taking to keep its computer networks effective and cost-- efficient?

JUDD: DND has been working with the private sector telecommunications service providers to ensure it is using the best of today's telecommunications business practices and systems. This is obviously an ongoing challenge, given the pace of technological change. DND upgrades equipment as needed, recognizing that every function does not require the latest, best and fastest equipment that the marketplace offers. We use what is needed to get the job done.

Regarding our networks, DND is renewing telecommunications services. We are contracting for integrated communications services from service providers, rather than procuring systems that DND is then responsible for operating.

TIG: What are DND's special technological needs and how are these needs being addressed?

JUDD: DND needs to use a great deal of mobile computing - when our troops in the field have to move from place to place, they have to bring their computer equipment with them. Mobile computing requires that DND use radio communications extensively and satellite communications to extend the range of our systems to deployed troops around the world. Given the lack of available commercial infrastructure in the countries where we deploy, DND often brings its own communications equipment.

To help our troops in the field communicate more effectively, DND is implementing, by 2000, the Tactical Command Control and Communications System and related army projects, which will replace outdated and unreliable communications equipment. This fully integrated communications system uses VHF and satellite capabilities. The main combat net radio, which comes in both portable and vehicle versions, features voice and data capability, a frequency hopping mode and embedded encryption.

DND also has unique requirements that must be met before we can operate in conjunction with other government departments, the private sector and our allies. During coalition operations, we must be able to share information with our allies' computer systems while still respecting national-security procedures. DND has actively participated in the past few years with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and NATO in the U.S.-led Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration. This international exercise involves all participating nations working together to interconnect their respective equipment in a coalition environment.

DND is also making extensive use of computer simulation to give staff realistic training while at the same time reducing training costs. For example, using a computer simulation of the Canadian Patrol Frigate combat systems equipment, staff can practice typical maintenance procedures without having to work on the real equipment.

Finally, Canada's active involvement and unique experience in world wide de-mining operations has resulted in the development of a highly effective remote multi-sensor operated land mine detector. This capability ensures greater safety of Canadian troops, allows de-mining operations to be completed more quickly and thus provides more effective protection to local populations.

TIG: What are some of the greatest technological challenges facing DND?

JUDD: Managing people, money, programs and operations is a challenge in any large organization. Related to this is the management of information technologies which directly affect how military affairs are conducted. DND must stay abreast of technological developments and their impact on today's military operations, as well as those of the future.

Coupled with this is the need to have professionals who understand and can exploit the use of information technology in military operations.

Copyright Plesman Publications Ltd. Aug 1998
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