Many military installations are adopting “Smart Cities” networks to harness the data networks to improve life the base; although the technology opens the Pentagon to new cyber threats.
“Our installations are not a safe haven,” said Andrew Nelson, director of the Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s International Research Office in London. “Particularly as we incorporate more technology and smart-cities infrastructure, we’re introducing vulnerabilities to the installation via cyber-physical threats we previously haven’t had to deal with.”
According to Breaking Defense, a part of The Army Installations Strategy is to adopt Internet of Things solutions (e.g. collecting data about people, machines and climates) to support multi-domain operations and optimize operations/quality of life on military bases.
One example includes the rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base, which is adopting 5G-powered capabilities and sensor technologies to build the “smart base of the future.”
What Army officials are currently grappling with is balancing adoption of vanguard technology with potential data breaches and network security vulnerabilities. The Army’s strategy aims to keep pace with civilian smart cities technologies.
“The end state is this modern and resilient army, and sustainable installations that enhance readiness and position us for that MDO [Multi-Domain Operations] battlespace that we understand,” said Nelson.
Fort Carson Courtesy Photo
