By WO2 Ian Beath Validity of the Principles of Communication in an IT Environment.

By WO2 Ian Beath

Validity of theValidity of the Principles of Communication in Principles of Communication in

an IT Environmentan IT Environment

By WO2 Ian Beath

ScopeScope

Military IT DefinedMilitary IT Defined IT as part of an Information NetworkIT as part of an Information Network The principles of communicationThe principles of communication Information Network adherenceInformation Network adherence ConclusionConclusion

By WO2 Ian Beath

ScopeScope

Military IT DefinedMilitary IT Defined IT as part of an Information NetworkIT as part of an Information Network The principles of communicationThe principles of communication Information Network adherenceInformation Network adherence ConclusionConclusion

By WO2 Ian Beath

Military IT DefinedMilitary IT Defined

Command, Control ISCommand, Control IS– Comprised of Information Management Comprised of Information Management

and Information Systemsand Information Systems– An Information System is comprised of the non-An Information System is comprised of the non-

automated functions (records, logs, etc) plus automated functions (records, logs, etc) plus Information Technology (applications and Information Technology (applications and infrastructure)infrastructure)Ref: Land Force Information Operations, Canadian Armed ForcesRef: Land Force Information Operations, Canadian Armed Forces

By WO2 Ian Beath

Military IT DefinedMilitary IT Defined

Command, Control ISCommand, Control IS– Comprised of Information Management Comprised of Information Management

and Information Systemsand Information Systems– An Information System is comprised of the non-An Information System is comprised of the non-

automated functions (records, logs, etc) plus automated functions (records, logs, etc) plus Information Technology (applications and Information Technology (applications and infrastructure)infrastructure)Ref: Land Force Information Operations, Canadian Armed ForcesRef: Land Force Information Operations, Canadian Armed Forces

By WO2 Ian Beath

IT as part of the IT as part of the Information NetworkInformation Network

New Model:New Model:– Information Technology (Systems) + Information Technology (Systems) +

Communications NetworkCommunications Network

Battle Group (unit) Section Task Force DJFHQ

Staff Planning & Information Network Tactical Engagement Network

Tactical C2 Network

Tactical Interoperability Interface Detachment

Narrowband Wideband/Data

Formation C2 Network

Battlefield Management System Battlefield Command Support System

Staff Planning & Information Network Staff Planning & Information Network Tactical Engagement Network Tactical Engagement Network

Tactical C2 Network Tactical C2 Network

Tactical Interoperability Interface Detachment Tactical Interoperability Interface Detachment

Narrowband Wideband/Data

Formation C2 Network Formation C2 Network

Battlefield Management System Battlefield Command Support System

Battle Group (unit) Section Task Force DJFHQ

By WO2 Ian Beath


Corporate IT examples as comparison:Corporate IT examples as comparison:– BluetoothBluetooth– Internet telephony (VoIP)Internet telephony (VoIP)– WAN/LANs connected by bearersWAN/LANs connected by bearers

By WO2 Ian Beath


Corporate IT examples as comparison:Corporate IT examples as comparison:– BluetoothBluetooth– Internet telephony (VoIP)Internet telephony (VoIP)– WAN/LANs connected by bearersWAN/LANs connected by bearers

By WO2 Ian Beath

Principles of CommunicationPrinciples of Communication

Comms follows Chain Comms follows Chain of Commandof Command

IntegrationIntegration Anticipation of Anticipation of

RequirementsRequirements ReliabilityReliability

SimplicitySimplicity CapacityCapacity FlexibilityFlexibility MobilityMobility SecuritySecurity EconomyEconomy

Ref: MLW 2-1-1 Land Force Tactical Communications (All Corps)

By WO2 Ian Beath

Principles of CommunicationPrinciples of Communication

Comms follows Chain Comms follows Chain of Commandof Command

IntegrationIntegration Anticipation of Anticipation of

RequirementsRequirements ReliabilityReliability

SimplicitySimplicity CapacityCapacity FlexibilityFlexibility MobilityMobility SecuritySecurity EconomyEconomy

Ref: MLW 2-1-1 Land Force Tactical Communications (All Corps)

Information Network AdherenceInformation Network Adherence

Communications follow the chain of Communications follow the chain of commandcommand– Tac comms is anTac comms is anextension of C2extension of C2

Section

Battle Gp

DJFHQ

JTF

Tac

C2 N

/WFo

rm C

2 N

/W

Tac Engmnt N

/W

S,P & Info N

/W

Gateway

Information Network AdherenceInformation Network Adherence IntegrationIntegration

– Cannot be operated in discreet compartmentsCannot be operated in discreet compartments– Subordinate comms plan within framework of Subordinate comms plan within framework of

superior plansuperior plan

Information Network AdherenceInformation Network Adherence IntegrationIntegration

– Cannot be operated in discreet compartmentsCannot be operated in discreet compartments– Subordinate comms plan within framework of Subordinate comms plan within framework of

superior plansuperior plan


Anticipation of requirementsAnticipation of requirements– Comms may limit comd’s planComms may limit comd’s plan– ReservesReserves– Early informationEarly information


Anticipation of requirementsAnticipation of requirements– Comms may limit comd’s planComms may limit comd’s plan– ReservesReserves– Early informationEarly information


ReliabilityReliability– Lesser systems may be more superior to Lesser systems may be more superior to

enhanced systems with outagesenhanced systems with outages– Operate over specified period under design Operate over specified period under design

conditions within manpower limitsconditions within manpower limits


ReliabilityReliability– Lesser systems may be more superior to Lesser systems may be more superior to

enhanced systems with outagesenhanced systems with outages– Operate over specified period under design Operate over specified period under design

conditions within manpower limitsconditions within manpower limits


SimplicitySimplicity– Basic plans stand the stresses of operationsBasic plans stand the stresses of operations– Readily understoodReadily understood– Able to be adaptedAble to be adapted– Less prone to breakdownLess prone to breakdown


SimplicitySimplicity– Basic plans stand the stresses of operationsBasic plans stand the stresses of operations– Readily understoodReadily understood– Able to be adaptedAble to be adapted– Less prone to breakdownLess prone to breakdown


CapacityCapacity– Timely informationTimely information– Able to cope with varying traffic loadsAble to cope with varying traffic loads– User conformityUser conformity


CapacityCapacity– Timely informationTimely information– Able to cope with varying traffic loadsAble to cope with varying traffic loads– User conformityUser conformity


FlexibilityFlexibility– Timely reactionTimely reaction– Reserve capacityReserve capacity– Choice of systemsChoice of systems


FlexibilityFlexibility– Timely reactionTimely reaction– Reserve capacityReserve capacity– Choice of systemsChoice of systems


MobilityMobility– Able to change location in relation to combat Able to change location in relation to combat

forceforce– React to change in planReact to change in plan– Subset of ‘flexibility?Subset of ‘flexibility?


MobilityMobility– Able to change location in relation to combat Able to change location in relation to combat

forceforce– React to change in planReact to change in plan– Subset of ‘flexibility?Subset of ‘flexibility?


SecuritySecurity– COMSECCOMSEC

» PhysicalPhysical» PersonnelPersonnel» Transmission/emissionTransmission/emission


SecuritySecurity– COMSECCOMSEC

» PhysicalPhysical» PersonnelPersonnel» Transmission/emissionTransmission/emission


EconomyEconomy– Effective & sustainable use of eqpt & personnelEffective & sustainable use of eqpt & personnel

ConclusionConclusion

IT viewed as an Information NetworkIT viewed as an Information Network Information Networks can be directly Information Networks can be directly

compared to traditional commscompared to traditional comms Imperative that comms planners adhere to Imperative that comms planners adhere to

top-down structure in a seemingly non-top-down structure in a seemingly non-hierarchal networkhierarchal network

Adherence to the principles enforces macro Adherence to the principles enforces macro managementmanagement

By WO2 Ian Beath

Tac Engmnt N/W

Tac Server

Tac C2 Telephony (VoIP)

NES

Formation link

S&F

The Future?The Future?

By WO2 Ian Beath Validity of the Principles of Communication in an IT Environment.

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