[comp.virus] MILIVIRUS REPLY

JEWALSH%FORDMURH.BITNET@VMA.CC.CMU.EDU (09/28/89)

Although I haven't gotten my feet too wet with the administrative functions
of the Army, as far as I can tell:

        a.  In the combat service support branches, e.g.:  Adjutant General
            Finance Corps, etc., the only C.O.A. for dealing with system
            malfunctions is to call the programmers in.

        b.  On the combat support level, e.g.:  branches like Air Defense
            Artillery may operate with safeguards and procedures when dealing
            with viruses.  Considering that it is equipment that safeguards
            our nation's defense, one would HOPE that it is resistant to
            viruses.  But, more than anything else, I have a feeling that
            it's relegated to the knowledgable computer operators to resolve
            problems with the systems.

        c.  Combat Arms branches, e.g.:  Infantry, Artillery, and Armor, don't
            do a lot with computer systems except on the unit level.  (Within
            individual tanks, or on the platoon level for troop movement, etc.)
            The level to which it is prone to viruses is, in my estimation,
            minimal, and the ease by which the components can be replaced takes
            away the risk.

If anyone knows more about the Army's Plan on Viruses, please post!  I'd be
interested to learn about it.

Jeffrey Walsh
Fordham University
BITNET%"JEWALSH@FORDMURH"

drears@PICA.ARMY.MIL (Dennis G. Rears (FSAC)) (09/29/89)

Jeffrey, you write:

>       a.  In the combat service support branches, e.g.:  Adjutant General
>           Finance Corps, etc., the only C.O.A. for dealing with system
>           malfunctions is to call the programmers in.

   Also Ordnance, Transportation, JAG, & Chaplain Corps.

>       b.  On the combat support level, e.g.:  branches like Air Defense
>           Artillery may operate with safeguards and procedures when dealing
>           with viruses.  Considering that it is equipment that safeguards
>           our nation's defense, one would HOPE that it is resistant to
>           viruses.  But, more than anything else, I have a feeling that
>           it's relegated to the knowledgable computer operators to resolve
>           problems with the systems.

   Air Defense is a combat arms branch.  Signal, Military Police,
Military Intelligence, and Chemical Corps are service.

>If anyone knows more about the Army's Plan on Viruses, please post!  I'd be
>interested to learn about it.

   Overall DOD has done little or anything.  They were one of the last
to know about the worm incident.  They care more about administrative
security than real security issues.  (My opinion only!)

Dennis