Security issues in the telecommunications plan for CALS implementation in Korea

Abstract

Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS) is an evolving strategy designed to take defense information from its current paper-intensive form to a totally electronic mode of operation by means of information integration and automation. To take full advantage of CALS, it is essential to accommodate distributed CALS computer networks, and to enable the interconnection of selected heterogeneous components in the networks However, as CALS telecommunications deals with multi-level security data, it is critical to incorporate adequate security plans into the telecommunication plan. This thesis analyzes the requirements for a secure telecommunications plan that includes telecommunications standards and protocols, data exchange protocols, transmission media, and methods of network security necessary to implement CALS in the Korea defense environment. Literature reviews and expert interviews are used to support findings and conclusions. To accomplish a fully digitized CALS environment, the author concludes that proper data protection standards and methods must be provided and tested as part of the overall CALS telecommunications architecture. Enabling technology and a responsive management infrastructure must be in place to ensure successful implementation of CALS. The decision to select mechanisms should be made based on the comparison between security and integrity, in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and availability. (AN)