Army to look at beefing up security along Global Information Grid

LAS VEGAS — The Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations will unveil a document next week that looks at improving the way users manage and defend the Global Information Grid, the Defense Department's classified and unclassified network.The document, to be issued during a security conference at West Point, is titled "Net Force Maneuver: An Emerging NetOps Construct" and will examine numerous ways for the Army, DOD and vendors to enhance network operations across the department.The paper will look at ways to reduce the high-profile nature of critical military systems, how to create viable diversion networks that draw intruders away from operation networks and ways to keep would-be hackers occupied while the Army collects as much information on them as possible, officials said."No other enterprise in the world has responsibility for a communications network quite like the GIG," said Col. Carl Hunt, director of technology and analysis at the Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations. Hunt spoke earlier this week at the Army Small Computer Program conference. "We're seeing some of the seams being pulled together and tightened up. There is the growing potential for shared situational awareness."Hunt said the Army has taken the lead in building the notion of NetOps, a component of network-centric warfare that focuses on using commercial best practices to operate, manage and defend the GIG.He said the service is looking for ways to apply niche types of technologies to accomplish its mission. "We're looking for proactive solutions."