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Sheltering the Genie: The LIC Threat to Nuclear Systems
"The decreasing tension between the United States and the Soviet Union obscures a harsh reality, in a world where the probability of a nuclear exchange between the two superpowers is at its lowest point since the early 1950s, [American nuclear] weapons are more [vulnerable] than ever to 'low intensity' threats. Some terrorist organizations have become sophisticated enough to actually steal or destroy a warhead, while the Special Purpose Forces of the Soviet Union retain the [ability] to curtail the reliability of American strategic systems from within the United States or Europe. These two very real threats are derived from the same factors - the openness of American society, and the enormous difficulty of providing security for these weapons. Because it is difficult to separate terrorism issues, the analysis of possible outcomes goes beyond the weapons themselves to include nuclear materials and power plants."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Shemella, Paul
1990-08
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Comparison of Password Techniques
From the thesis abstract: "A widely used access control mechanism is the password. Passwords are normally composed of a meaningful detail, such as a name of a person or a sequence of numbers such as a birthdate. Any person attempting to gain unauthorized access to a system might need only to look at a personnel record or associate with the person holding the desired password in order to discover the password. Therefore, there is a compromise between user memorability and security of a system. Exploration into other methods of user authentication and access control is desired to discover a better alternative to the traditional password system. The alternatives are system-generated passwords, pronounceable passwords, passphrases, cognitive passwords and authentication by word association. These methods are discussed and examined. The results from this study show that cognitive passwords and authentication by word association are superior to other methods in access control."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Beedenbender, Mark G.
1990-03
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From Forward Deployment to Forward Presence: A New National Strategy for the Pacific
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis analyzes the changing strategic environment in East Asia and the Pacific. Despite sweeping foreign policy initiatives, the Soviets maintain a significant military capability. Even as the likelihood of the Soviet threat diminishes, low-intensity type conflict threaten U.S. regional interests. Additionally, changing regional perceptions are undermining traditional U.S. security arrangements. Rising Asian nationalism questions the need for forward deployment of U.S. forces within regional states. A policy of forward presence via maritime assets is the solution. U.S. naval assets would allow for a reasonable power projection capability in time of crisis, yet would meet fiscal constraints during peacetime through a scaling down of deployed assets. Other U. S. forces will maintain their ability to meet regional responsibilities through training exercises with regional forces and a build-up of the U.S. sealift capability. Now is the time to encourage regional states to assume greater responsibilities for their own defense. A regional maritime organization must be developed to maintain open trade routes. With a focused mandate, such an organization would not threaten individual national sovereignties and would promote regional cooperation and stability. An expansion of the U.S. Navy's peacetime mission will certainly serve the national interest. Increased port visits to economically less developed regions should be coordinated to support on-going or planned U.S. assistance programs"
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Smith, Michael Edward
1990-03
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Role of Strategic Planning in the Evolution of Command and Control Systems
"This thesis examines the role that strategic planning plays in the evolution of Command and Control (C2) systems by defining both C2 and strategic planning and showing the, interfaces between them. It goes on to show how the View of the threat in the years to come influence the implementation of C2 systems. Furthermore, the author challenges the traditional strategic thought on threat assessment which views the threat primarily as a massive Warsaw Pact attack on Central Europe or an all-out Soviet nuclear attack. The future threat, projected ten to twenty years out is examined and expanded to include more likely scenarios the U.S. military may face including: drug trafficking, low intensity conflict in the Persian Gulf, and ballistic missile proliferation. From these emerging threats, the author recommends what C2 system technology the Department of Defense DOD) should pursue."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Mallick, Richard Lee
1990-03
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Characteristics of User-Generated Passwords
"Access control based on the verification of a person's identity is commonly used in information system/computer installations. The most widely used mechanism for access control to information systems is passwords. Passwords can be machine-generated using a list of words stored in a memory bank, machine-generated using a sophisticated algorithm to create a pseudo-random combination of characters or they can be user-generated. User-generated passwords typically take on the characteristics of some type of meaningful detail that is simple in structure and easy to remember Memorability and security pose a difficult trade-off in password generation. On one hand a system security administrator wants passwords that are unpredictable, frequently changed and provide the greatest degree of system security achievable. Users, on the other hand, want passwords that are simple and easy to remember. If passwords are chosen to make them difficult to guess, they may become difficult to remember. When they become difficult to remember they are likely to be written down. Once written down a compromise to security occurs because users tend to store them in insecure places. This thesis looks at user-generated password characteristics. Of particular interest is how password selection, memorability and predictability are affected by the number of characters in a password, the importance and sensitivity of a users data. a users work location, how a password was chosen, the frequency of changing a password and the frequency of logging on to a system with a password."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Sawyer, Darren Antwon
1990-03
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CERTS: A Comparative Evaluation Method for Risk Management Methodologies and Tools
"This thesis develops a comparative evaluation method for computer security risk management methodologies and tools. The subjective biases inherent to current comparison practices are reduced by measuring unique characteristics of computer security risk management methodologies. Standardized criteria are established and described by attributes which in turn are defined by metrics that measure the characteristics. The suitability of a method or tool to a particular organizational situation can then be analyzed objectively. Additionally, our evaluation method facilitates the comparison of methodologies and tools to each other. As a demonstration of its effectiveness, our method is applied to four distinct risk management methodologies and four risk management tools. Alternative models for utilizing the evaluation method are presented as well as possible directions for their application. Without an adequate means of comparing and evaluating risk management decision-making methodologies, the metadecision (the selection of a risk management method or tool) becomes arbitrary and capricious, thereby making an inappropriate selection more likely. Selection of an inappropriate method or tool could lead to excessive costs, misdirected efforts, and the loss of assets. The systematic and standard comparison method developed in this thesis resolves that problem."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Garrabrants, William M.; Ellis, Alfred W., III
1990-03
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United States-Japanese National Interests in Asia: Security in the 1990s
From the thesis abstract: "Perceptions of the bilateral security relationship between the United States and Japan are beginning to depart the post-war norm. Japan's economic competition is beginning to be seen by some in the United States as a greater threat to U. S. national security than the traditional threat of Soviet expansionism. A difference in fundamental values between the United States and Japan may exacerbate these diverging views during a period of dramatic East-West change. This thesis proposes that the U.S. and Japan re-examine their bilateral security relationship and replace it with a formal, rational division of burden and decision sharing by allocating primary areas of security responsibility in Asia within the alliance. It proposes that Japanese naval forces assume primary responsibility of stability and peace in Northeast Asia while the United States continues primary responsibility of stability and peace in the vital sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean and South China Seas. The flexibility of this strategy would permit coping with the uncertainty of United States-U.S.S.R. relations until the success or failure of Soviet reforms can be ascertained. Also, a revised security arrangement between the United States and Japan would diminish the prospects of an independent Japanese military posture in Asia."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Staples, Mark T.
1989-12
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Combatting Terrorism through Study of the Genetic Psychology of Terrorist Leader--the Early Development of the Terrorist Mind
"The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate the necessity for law enforcement, intelligence, and other organizations responsible for collecting information on 'proponents of terror,' to include in target dossiers, data regarding genetic inheritance and childhood environmental influences. The author argues that without this type of information, agencies are hindered in really knowing the 'proponent of terror,' and thus limited in the possibilities for neutralizing the subject. The study analyzes genetic inheritance and childhood environment and presents case studies on Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Ilich Ramirez Sanchez ('Carlos'). The study concludes that genetic and childhood environmental data should be included in target dossiers of terrorists. Collection categories in genetic inheritance and environment are recommended and include, for example, material on terrorists' biological grandparents, parents, and as appropriate, on their brothers and sisters, and children."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Martinez, Peter, Jr.
1989-12
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Personal Computer Local Area Network Security in an Academic Environment
"This thesis explores the unique security requirements of the Local Area Networks (LAN)s within the Administrative Sciences Department Instructional Laboratories at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. Current operating procedures, direction from the Department of Defense and Navy sources, views of computer professionals and case studies of microcomputer labs at other educational institutions, are examined to identify areas where security improvements can be made. Security topics covered include; physical security, equipment tamper-proofing, software protection and damage caused maliciously or unintentionally by users. The threat imposed on the various LANs by users, viruses, and the operating environment are evaluated to determine a suggested security response."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
1989-12
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Implementation of a Parallel Multilevel Secure Process
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis demonstrates an implementation of a parallel multilevel secure process. This is done within the framework of an electronic mail system. Security is implemented by GEMSOS [Gemini Standard Operating Systems], the operating system of the Gemini Trusted Computer Base. A brief history of computer secrecy is followed by a discussion of security kernels. Eventcounts and sequences are used to provide concurrency control and are covered in detail. The specifications for the system are based upon the requirements for a Headquarters of a hypothetical Marine Battalion in garrison."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Pratt, David R.
1988-06
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Government Actions to Control Terrorist Violence; A Case Study on Northern Ireland
From the thesis abstract: "Using the historical method, this study of terrorism in Northern Ireland examines the variables of conflict, the existing violence and government endeavors to eradicate the violence. This study does so within the framework of the United States' interests. Irish terrorism has been a problem for the British government for centuries. The current round since 1969 has produced , vast improvements in the security forces and enforcement techniques, yet the I.R.A. [Irish Republican Army] and its political wing, Sinn Fein, survive. Government actions must include measures aimed at the root causes of terrorist movements. The relative degradation of the Catholic community within Northern Ireland has received international attention and has been the focus of much of the British government's efforts to legislate improvements in Northern Ireland. It appears that only through this process can peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland take place."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Naughton, Maura Katherine
1988-03
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Chemical Warfare Module for the Airland Advanced Research Model (ALARM)
"This thesis incorporates an explicit depiction of chemical warfare (CW) in the AirLand Advanced Research Mode1 (ALARM), being developed at the Naval Postgraduate School based on the Amy's AirLand Battle doctrine. The CW module centers on a planning algorithm using the generalized value system (GVS) for future state decision making. The planning algorithm comprises the Commander's Estimate of the Situation. The GVS quantifies capabilities and importance of all battlefield entities. The CW module represents key chemical staff functions. The algorithm's decision rule is extended, adding aspects of utility theory. The basic concepts of the module are demonstrated in an application computer program running a combat scenario. The program generalizes previous development work on the GVS and the planning algorithm producing a plan consisting of the courses."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Van Arsdale, Layne A.
1987-12
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Strategic Planning for Counterforce Options
"The first objective of this report is to explore the disparity between United States declaratory policy and actual force capabilities. This report will secondarily pose questions and purpose decision making criteria which are essential to ensure successful future nuclear strategic force employment and planning. This report is primarily concerned with the gap in U.S. declaratory and operational (or action) policy as it applies to current counterforce targeting problems. It is important to distinguish between declaratory policy and actual operational policies to appreciate the complexities of the debate and to resolve questions concerning future force planning."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Palumbo, Nancy R.
1987-11-04
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Combating Terrorism: A Guide for U.S. Naval Forces Afloat
From the thesis abstract: "The United States Navy's forces afloat do not have a single source document that addresses anti-terrorism and counterterrorism. The increase in terrorism world-wide has stimulated the concern that vulnerable maritime vessels will become terrorist targets. U. S. Navy ships in a restricted maneuvering situation, at anchor in a harbor, or moored pier side may offer an attractive target to a terrorist group. To deal with this potential terrorist threat, personnel manning U. S. Navy ships must be educated in the fundamentals of terrorism; the ships' security program must be evaluated and modified accordingly; various watches, sentries, and teams must be trained in new anti- and counterterrorist procedures; and contingency plans must be developed to deal with potential terrorist incidents. This study provides a guide for the development of effective anti-terrorist and counterterrorist programs for any ship type in the U. S. Navy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Broughton, Hubert L.
1985-12
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Moro Problem: An Historical Perspective
"For over 400 years the Muslim people of the southern Philippines have been at war. They have resisted the Spanish occupation of their ancestral homelands, the American colonial presence, and the current Christian government. To understand what motivates the Moro people to such conflict, it is necessary to study their history, religion, and the ethnic fabric which makes up their various regional groups. The fundamentals of their religion require a homogenous [sic] Islamic government. In the Philippines this would require separation, or at least total autonomy for the Muslim areas. This has never been allowed by the Christian government which has perpetuated the cause of the Moro insurgency. Conflict will surely continue as long as Christian authority is imposed upon the Moro people."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Fowler, Dennis B.
1985-06
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Quantitative and Qualitative Effectiveness Dimensions of the U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting Program
"The United States Coast Guard's increasing employment of advanced technology aboard its cutters, aircraft and shore commands has introduced an evolving demand for the consideration of a quality dimension in manpower planning. During recent years, this demand for quality personnel has out-distanced input. Recognizing the requirement for a long term organizational change to reverse this trend, this thesis identifies the recruiting program as the most effective agent for that change."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Johnson, Harvey E.
1983-06
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Lanchester-Type Models of Warfare, Volume II
This monograph is a comprehensive treatise on Lanchester-type models of warfare, i.e. differential-equation models of attrition in force-on-force combat operations. Its goal is to provide an introduction to and current- state-of-the-art overview of Lanchester-type models of warfare as well as a comprehensive and unified in-depth treatment of them. Both deterministic as well as stochastic models are considered. Such models have been widely used in the United States and elsewhere for the modeling of force-on-force attrition over the complete spectrum of combat operations, from combat between platoon-sized units through theater-level air-ground combat. This material should be of interest primarily to individuals concerned with defense planning, quantitative aspects of military analysis, military OR, war gaming, or combat modeling, although it may also be of interest to the reader concerned with the modeling and analysis of other dynamic systems. It should also be of interest to the concerned citizen who is interested in the foundations for defense analysis and has the appropriate technical background.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Taylor, James G.
1980-10
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Lanchester-Type Models of Warfare, Volume I
This monograph is a comprehensive treatise on Lanchester-type models of warfare, i.e. differential-equation models of attrition in force-on-force combat operations. Its goal is to provide an introduction to and current- state-of-the-art overview of Lanchester-type models of warfare as well as a comprehensive and unified in-depth treatment of them. Both deterministic as well as stochastic models are considered. Such models have been widely used in the United States and elsewhere for the modeling of force-on-force attrition over the complete spectrum of combat operations, from combat between platoon-sized units through theater-level air-ground combat. This material should be of interest primarily to individuals concerned with defense planning, quantitative aspects of military analysis, military OR, war gaming, or combat modeling, although it may also be of interest to the reader concerned with the modeling and analysis of other dynamic systems. It should also be of interest to the concerned citizen who is interested in the foundations for defense analysis and has the appropriate technical background.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Taylor, James G.
1980-10
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Design and Implementation of the Memory Manager for a Secure Archival Storage System
"This thesis presents a detailed design and implementation of a memory manger for a kernel technology based secure archival storage system (SASS). The memory manger is a part of the non-distributed portion of the Security Kernel, and is solely responsible for proper management of both the main memory (random access) and the secondary storage (direct access) of the system. The memory manager is designed for implementation on the ZILOG Z8000 microprocessor in a multi-processor environment. The loop free design structure, based upon levels of abstraction, and a segment aliasing scheme for information confinement are essential elements of the overall system security provided by the SASS."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Gary, Alan V.; Moore, Edmund E.
1980-06
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Subversion: The Neglected Aspect of Computer Security
This thesis distinguishes three methods of attacking internal protection mechanisms of computers: inadvertent disclosure, penetration, and subversion. Subversion is shown to be the most attractive to the serious attacker. Subversion is characterized by three phases of operations: the inserting of trap doors and Trojan horses, the exercising of them, and the retrieval of the resultant unauthorized information. Insertion occurs over the entire life cycle of the system from the system design phase to the production phase. This thesis clarifies the high risk of using computer stems, particularly so-called 'trusted' subsystems for the protection of sensitive information. This leads to a basis for countermeasures based on the lifetime protection of security related system components combined with the application of adequate technology as exemplified in the security kernel concept.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Myers, Philip A.
1980-06
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Design of a Secure File Storage System
From the thesis abstract: "A design for a secure, multi-user, File Storage System is developed. This design, incorporating a concurrently developed Security Kernel, provides a multilevel secure f1exib1e file storage serving a distributed system of dissimilar computers. The Security Kernel is responsible for non-discretionary (e.g., classification and clearance) security and the File Storage System Supervisor is responsible for discretionary (e.g., 'need to know') security. Multilevel security is achieved by the controlled access to consolidated file storage by Host computer systems. Multiprogramming of surrogate Supervisor processes operating on behalf of the Host computer systems provides for system efficiency. A segmented memory at the Supervisor level allows controlled data sharing among authorized users. . System integrity is independent of the internal security controls (or lack of them) in the distributed systems; the File Storage System prevents system-wide security side effects. A loop free structure along with system simplicity and robustness are design characteristics."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Parks, Edward James
1979-12
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Zionism and Southern Lebanon: A Historical Perspective on Six Decades of Controversy
From the thesis abstract: "Current events in southern Lebanon are connected to a territorial dispute that emerged over sixty years ago, when leading Zionists claimed the region. That claim, which was based upon the projected economic and security needs of the Jewish national home in Palestine, did not prevail in the course of post-World War I Anglo-French diplomacy. Since then the Zionist leaders of Palestine and Israel have tried to overcome the negative economic and security implications of the boundary settlement. Yet Zionist access to southern Lebanese water has been consistently blocked, and the frontier has proven vulnerable to raids and rocket attacks by hostile forces. It appears however that Israel has recently converted the border region from a long-standing liability into a current geopolitical asset. Recent Israeli policies in southern Lebanon have (1) aggravated sectarian tensions in Lebanon; (2) kept Syria tied down in a difficult stability operation; and (3) made Israel's northern settlements less vulnerable to land attacks by Palestinian commandos."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Hof, Frederic C.
1979-06
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Process of Determining Manpower Requirements and Its Relationship to PPBS
From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of this thesis is to describe the Navy's manpower requirements determination process and to demonstrate how these requirements are used by the Department of Defense Planning, Programming and Budgeting System (PPBS), the Navy's Program Objective Memoranda (POM) development, the Navy's three manpower requirements determination programs (ships, aircraft squadrons and shore establishments), and a classroom simulation of the Navy's POM development process. The existing system key players, major roles, chronology of events and organizational inter-relationships are described as they currently function."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Martel, Reginald Timothy
1979-06
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Scholarship for Service: IA Tutorials and Workshops for Educators
"In 2003 and 2004 the Center for Information Systems Security Studies and Research (CISR) at the Naval Postgraduate School organized tutorials and workshops with the intent of increasing the capacity of the United States higher education enterprise to produce professionals in the fields of Information Assurance (IA) and computer security by hosting a series of workshops for education in Information Assurance. The target audience of the workshops has been 2-year, 4- year college, and university-level educators who have responsibility for teaching curricula that are, or could be, related to Information Assurance issues. Participation by instructors from institutions serving under-represented groups was high. Attendance at the tutorials was maximized both years. The participants indicated that they benefited substantially from both the tutorials and the subsequent gathering of IA educators at the Workshop on Education in Computer Security (WECS)."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Irvine, Cynthia E.; Falby, Naomi B.
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Stemming the Flow of Improvised Explosive Device Making Materials Through Global Export Control Regimes
From the thesis abstract: "The effects of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) continue to be felt throughout the world, and especially in battlefields, such as Afghanistan. The United States currently leads the counter-IED effort through various demand side efforts, such as those led by JIEDDO [Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization] and Project Global Shield. The purpose of this thesis was to determine the feasibility of a new supply-side effort to counter IEDs through global export control similar to the multilateral export control regimes of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and missile technologies. A comparative method was used that utilized the existing regime literature for success and effectiveness, and then measured those regimes against six variables that focused on technology, as well as the organizations, which provided the framework to determine the success and feasibility of a new regime that focuses on lower technology items. The results show that although IEDs continue to be a presence throughout the world, it lacks the grander threat similar to that of WMD technology to make a new regime successful. Further, the results show that IED technology and material are difficult to classify and track, which makes global export control efforts extremely difficult."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Quihuis, Nicholas R.
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MOVES Institute [website]
"The Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Institute was founded in 2000, but MOVES as an academic program was founded in 1996 with the launch of the Master of Science program, followed by the Doctoral program in 1999. The Institute is intended to be a mix of the strong analysis tradition of the Operations Research Department and the simulation, training, and software development expertise of the Computer Science Department. The Institute has its roots in the NPSNET Research Group founded in 1986. NPSNET was the original low-cost, government owned, SIMNET and DIS compatible visual simulator. It was widely used around the world and was integrated into many government programs over its lifetime. The Institute was also the birthplace of America's Army. Sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army: Manpower and Reserve Affairs, America's Army was our first venture into the use of video game technology for defense applications. Development has since left the Institute, but many millions of players have downloaded and played America's Army since 2000. Recent initiatives include the Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) that uses web services for interoperability of M&S systems, and also the Delta3D Open Source Game-Based Simulation Engine."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
