QUICKLOOK: Uncharted Domain: The Comprehensive Chronicle of Cyber Warfare
PDF debrief: Authored by Fred Kaplan. Published in New York by Simon & Schuster, 2016
Introduction:
The document is a comprehensive review of the book "Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War" authored by Fred Kaplan. This review has been penned by Edward M. Roche and is published under the auspices of the University of South Florida Board of Trustees. Kaplan, a renowned author, and journalist, holds a Ph.D. in political science from MIT and is known for his "War Stories" column for Slate. His journalistic prowess earned him the Pulitzer Prize during his tenure as a reporter for the Boston Globe. Kaplan's other notable work includes "The Insurgents: David Petraeus and the Plot to Change the American Way of War," which was published in 2014. "Dark Territory" is a historical exploration of cyber warfare, spanning from 1967 to the present day. (Page 2)
Event Summary:
"Dark Territory" delves into a multitude of significant events in the history of cyber warfare. The narrative begins with the Morris worm incident in 1980, which resulted in the crippling of six thousand UNIX computers in the military. The book also highlights the use of cyber warfare in Operation Desert Storm, marking the first known instance of cyber tactics being employed in warfare. Kaplan provides a detailed account of various cyber attacks and hacking incidents that have occurred over the years. This includes the Solar Sunrise hack, which originated in the United Arab Emirates and penetrated more than a dozen military bases. The Moonlight Maze hack, originating from the Russian Academy of Sciences, resulted in the theft of 5.5 gigabytes of data, equivalent to about three million pages. The book also discusses the Chinese hack of Lockheed's data on the new joint strike fighter, which led to the Chinese developing a remarkably similar aircraft. (Pages 2-4)
Assessment:
"Dark Territory" provides a comprehensive and unbiased assessment of the political history of the hacking problem as it was faced by the national security establishment of the United States. The book does not take a stance or present an argument but rather offers a meticulously balanced presentation of how technology and public policy intertwine in the realm of cyber warfare. The book underscores the defense dilemma posed by the fact that, unlike nuclear weapons, there is no deterrence in cyber warfare. A key takeaway from the book is the stark reality that it is virtually impossible to defend against sophisticated cyber attacks. Furthermore, the book highlights that the United States is more vulnerable to this threat than any other nation. Kaplan's "Dark Territory" is recommended for anyone interested in national security, SIGINT, the National Security Agency, Cyber Command, and the development of offensive cyber weapons. (Page 4)
Conclusion:
In conclusion, "Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War" by Fred Kaplan is a seminal work that provides an in-depth exploration of the evolution of cyber warfare from 1967 to the present day. The book offers a comprehensive and impartial assessment of the political history of the hacking problem as confronted by the United States national security establishment. Kaplan's work underscores the complex interplay between technology and public policy in the realm of cyber warfare, and the unique challenges posed by the absence of a deterrence mechanism in this domain. The book serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of nations, particularly the United States, to sophisticated cyber attacks. It is a must-read for scholars and practitioners interested in national security, signals intelligence (SIGINT), the National Security Agency, Cyber Command, and the development of offensive cyber weapons. The review by Edward M. Roche provides a succinct and insightful summary of the book's key themes and takeaways, further reinforcing its significance in the field of cyber warfare studies.