Friday, May 15, 2009

Expanding Our Knowledge

An Information Warrior faces a complex and dynamic operating environment. To conduct an accurate Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Analysis of the enemy force (or a friendly force), a multitude of cause and effect relationships must be examined. Many times the person at the battle scene conducting the assessment may lack experience and/or knowledge, precluding a time-sensitive and effective assessment

The author proposes a framework for a global network of expert systems and decision support systems to conduct the Vulnerability Assessments and maintain Information Warfare readiness through realistic training. The author also presents a Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Analysis heuristic with the objective of expanding the knowledge base and decision speed at the on-scene commander level. In achieving and implementing this global network, numerous benefits can be realized, including increased speed and efficiency in the receipt of intelligence information, thereby allowing for improved decision making capabilities. Since the technology and know-how are already available, this vision of the global network is attainable and can be successfully implemented and operated.


LT Debra A. Lankhorst
Naval Postgraduate School Masters Thesis
Using Expert Systems to Conduct Vulnerability Assessments

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Captain Lambert,

“The author also presents a Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Analysis heuristic with the objective of expanding the knowledge base and decision speed at the on-scene commander level.” This statement by LT Debra A. Lankhorst, in her Masters Thesis, sounds a little more involved than what the Gunnery Officer on the USS Constitution had to consider in Her battle with HMS Guerriere, which was nearly 200 years ago, and the Constitution still makes sail today. The present concept of performing battle is a far cry from estimating range and knowing whether to fire on the up roll or the down roll, and there is no doubt in my mind that it must continually advance to remain abreast of the technology available today and in the far reaching future.

Respectfully,
Navyman834