Abstract

 Closed Verses Open Systems in Converged Information Warfare    David Baden, Paul Flint   

Closed Verses Open Systems in Converged Information Warfare

Abstract

Information warfare begins at the login prompt. It is at this point in information systems architecture where the struggle for security commences. Open verses closed source security architecture is the evolutionary element in digital ecology. Risk and security analysis suggest answers to the following questions are essential: -- Would open-source be a good choice as a defensive system? -- Do the exploits actually represent the change agents of the digital ecology? -- Is the struggle for information security our exposure to the process of security architecture evolution? -- When facing an adversary, who uses open-source software, does this adversary hold any advantage? -- Can opponents using open source-based tools and techniques dominate closed-source opponents in information warfare? -- Will closed-source systems always predate open-source systems? -- Is a closed system more secure than an open one? -- Does the compartmentalization that closed-source code instills help security? The presentation and discussion pose many more questions than would normally be polite. The proper closed source approach would ignore these questions. The open source way shares the answers as those questions that would follow. We can rest assured that if we don't find the answers to these questions someone else will.