Book Review

Libicki, M.C. (2007). Conquest in Cyberspace: National Security and Information Warfare. New York: Cambridge University Press. 323 pages, ISBN: 978-0-521-69214-4 (paper), US$80

Reviewed by Gary C. Kessler
Champlain College
Burlington, VT 05401
gary.kessler@champlain.edu
 

(first two paragraphs of review)

Many books -- and even movies ("Live Free or Die Hard") -- are based upon the premise of an impending information war. In these scenarios -- made all too plausible by the increased frequency with which we read about and experience major information security incidents -- a Bad Guy exploits known computer security vulnerabilities in order to control major national infrastructures via the Internet so as to reap financial, economic, and/or personal power.

Martin Libicki's book takes a different, broader, and possibly more realistic view of the classic infowar scenario. Libicki -- a senior policy analyst at the RAND Corp. -- argues that hostile conquest of the global network is not as big a threat as some believe because of the incredible difficulty to taking control of information systems owned by others, corrupting their data, and/or shutting those systems down. He also argues that the globally connected cyberspace presents an excellent opportunity to drive the actions and attitudes of others.

(continued)