Amazing Grace: Corps of Signals Pipes and Drum

A photograph of the Bagpipers playing the tune Amazing Grace (Hymn), who form part of Corps of Signals Pipes and Drum, during Centenary Celebrations at Jabalpur on 14 Feb 2011
Corps of Signals Indian Army celebrated its Centenary at Jabalpur, where No. 1 Signal Training Center is located, from 13-15 Feb 2011 in a very beffiting manner.
One of the soul stirring and inspiring event was a Band Concert after dark in the Gowrishankar Parade Ground (named after one of our illustrious Signals general, who earned a Maha Vir Chakra-a very high gallantry award while commanding a brigade in Dera Baba Nanalk Sector, in Punjab, during 1971 War with Pakistan).
A poignant item in the Band Concert was playing of the Hymn 'AMAZING GRACE' by nearly thirty Corps of Signals Bagpipers. They came marching in slow time in two columns well separated by a large screen, each column lit by soft blue light, playing beautifully the haunting tune of the Hymn. As they came nearer, the sound of the bagpipes gradually increasing.
The Pipers formed up in two rows in front of the audience continued to play the tune and then slowly returned the way they had come; the sound fading away in the semi darkness and leaving everyone spell bound and may be with some moist eyes as well!!
A recorded version of the same tune played by US Marine Bagpipers can be seen and heard on this video below:



The Corps of Signals Pipers played absolutely in the same manner and I feel even better, except that the setting was more serene and stirring, being in the quietness of night under subdued light!

WHAT IS AMAZING GRACE HYMN?
"Amazing Grace" is a Hymn written by English poet John Newton in 1973 and published in 1779.
Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He joined the Royal Navy and became a sailor, eventually participating in the slave trade. One night a terrible storm battered his vessel so severely that he became frightened enough to call out to God for mercy. After a few years he quit going to sea altogether and began studying theology.
Ordained in the Church in 1764, Newton began to write hymns with poet William Cower. "Amazing Grace" was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year's Day of 1773.
Gradually it was sung in Churches and congregations and over time set to many types of music. However, perhaps it sounds the best when played by Bagpipers.
Each Regiment and infantry battalion in the Indian Army has a Pipes and Drum Band. Corps of Signals has two such bands, one located with each of its two Signal Training Centers.
All Praise for Brig SK Pillai, Commandant 1 STC and his Team for masterminding and showcasing such amazing events, which make the Corps of yesterday and today so proud.
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Former Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Colonel Commandant

Corps of Signals: 14th Reunion Humour

Reunion Humour
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your Young Officers are running the 'Signal' Corps.
Top 10 Reasons NOT to Miss Corps of Signals 14th Reunion at Jabalpur
1. You'll laugh, cry, and reminisce with some of your old Devils.
2. It's fine to not remember somebody. That's why name tags were invented!
3. Feel better realizing you are not the only one who has been married with grand kids and is still looking. (hmmmm...)
4. Rekindle or begin renewed relationships or exchange notes of yesteryear's.
5. Show everyone how sexy bald is!
6. Even if you had some negative experiences, don't fret about it, you'll most likely laugh about it now.
7. Enjoy an evening out without the kids (or grand kids), as the case might be.
8. Use the Reunion as an opportunity to diet, play golf or shape up. (Okay, maybe it's TOO late for this one...!)
9. Humour the Reunion Committee and Organisers who made it happen- and our 3 days a breeze- we are a bunch of deluded diehards who think everyone should show up to appreciate our efforts. (Uh, yeah!)
10. And finally, studies have shown that those who were initially hesitant about attending their reunions, discover it was the event they wouldn't have missed!

Corps of Signals- The “21st century arm of our forces"

Ministry of Defence 17-February, 2011 18:59 IST
Antony Asks Forces to gear up to Fight Cyber Wars
The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has called upon the Armed Forces to be vigilant against emerging cyber threats. Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Corps of Signals here today, he called upon the forces to keep abreast of latest technologies. Terming the Corps of Signals as the “21st century arm of our forces”, Shri Antony said it has a major role in promoting inter-Service synergy and joint operations.

“The Corps is at the forefront of transforming the Indian Army to a network-centric force. It must continuously enhance its ability to absorb latest technologies in collaboration with the Industry and R&D establishment. The Corps has done commendable work, be it in fielding futuristic strategic defence communication networks, or development of state-of-the-art tactical communication systems. The contribution of the Corps in enhancing cyber security is worth a mention. However, the Corps needs to be ever vigilant, as cyber threats continue to multiply and intensify by the day,” Shri Antony said.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju said that besides being vital to the Armed Forces, Telecommunication and Cyber Infrastructure is a national and strategic asset as various other key sectors such as the Railways, Airlines, Banks and Industry depend on it. Shri Pallam Raju said that I&CT will be a key factor in reshaping the methodology of war fighting in the future.

“Any serious disruption can jeopardise our functioning including our responses to the war being raised by our adversaries. The ramification of cyber attacks launched by an unknown adversary or individual has necessitated a relook at the planning and security of Command and Control infrastructure at the highest levels of national governance,” Shri Pallam Raju said.

Underlining that the modern warfare has undergone a paradigm shift, the Chief of Army Staff General VK Singh said that the Corps of Signals has emerged as the proverbial “nervous system” of the Armed Forces in contemporary times.

“In all future wars, information superiority will be one of the key battle winning factors and future battlefield milieu would require communication system that are secure, responsive and reliable,” said General Singh. HH/NN (Release ID :69874)
Antony Asks Forces to gear up to Fight Cyber Wars

Definition: Nervous System
System of specialized cells (neurons, or nerve cells) that conduct stimuli from a sensory receptor through a neuron network to the site (e.g., a gland or muscle) where the response occurs. In humans, it consists of the central and peripheral nervous systems, the former consisting of the brain and spinal cord and the latter of the nerves, which carry impulses to and from the central nervous system. The cranial nerves handle head and neck sensory and motor activities, except the vagus nerve, which conducts signals to visceral organs. Each spinal nerve is attached to the spinal cord by a sensory and a motor root. These exit between the vertebrae and merge to form a large mixed nerve, which branches to supply a defined area of the body. Disorders include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, chorea, epilepsy, myasthenia gravis, neural tube defect, parkinsonism, and poliomyelitis. Effects of disorders range from transient tics and minor personality changes to major personality disruptions, seizures, paralysis, and death.
Read more: Answer. com

Army flags off motorcycle expedition

TEZPUR, Jan 31: The Corps of Signals of Indian Army will be completing 100 years of its service to the nation on February 15. To commemorate the glorious occasion, the Corps is holding various events across the nation with the aim of showcasing its proud history and achievements, according to a press release.

The Mercury Explorer Motorcycle Expedition which is a part of the ongoing centenary celebrations arrived in Tezpur station in the evening from Tenga on January 30, after covering more than 3,000 km. The motorcycle team was flagged off by Lieutenant General Gyan Bhushan, General Officer Commanding, Gajraj Corps on the balance of its expedition in a befitting ceremony. In spite of passing through rugged and difficult hilly terrain the expedition members displayed indefatigable spirit to continue their further journey to Shillong.

Commencing from January 5 from Chandigarh, the motorcycle expedition aims at motivating the youths in Himalayan region to join the Army and also to interact with armed forces veterans to rekindle the nostalgia of their association. The expedition led by Captain KIS Khangura comprising 15-member will cover approximately 6,150 km passing through Himalayan terrain in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It has already covered half the distance and the balance is to be covered in the next fortnight before it’s flagging in at Jabalpur on February 14 by the Signal Officer-in-Chief.
Army flags off motorcycle expedition

Diamond Triangle team: 14th Reunion and Centenary Celebrations

Corps of Signals Centenary Celebrations
Indian Express Mon Jan 31 2011, 03:14 hrs Pune
The National Defence Academy (NDA) stopover of the Diamond Triangle Expedition, which started from Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, was marked by a spectacular 40-minute aerial display.
The aim of the team, which includes 13 pilots and comprises four microlight aircraft and two powered hang-gliders, is motivating more youth to join the Armed Forces
“The lot consists of two Savannah, an X Air and a Hanuman aircraft and Clipper hang-gliders. The whole idea is to expose more youngsters to the glory of the Indian Armed Forces and attract them to join the services,” said Major Ankush Goyal, one of the pilots in the team.
The expedition, undertaken by the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow, with participation of the Army Aero Nodal Centre (AANC) — an adventure node run by the Corps of Signals under the Army Adventure Wing—- marks the centenary celebrations of the Corps of Signals.
The next stop is Belgaum on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border. It will touch Goa and head back to Madhya Pradesh. The expedition will cover 2,700 kilometres aerially and the path is roughly a triangular and hence the name.
“...We are heading to Goa followed by Jabalpur on February 11. En route, we are displaying aerial acrobatics at various places,” said Goyal.
The aerial display at the NDA was attended by NDA Deputy Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Ajit S Bhonsle and Chief of Administration, Southern Command, Major General Chacko Tharakan besides officers and cadets. The team displayed stunts like low flying, ladder formation, split flying and paradrop.
Diamond Triangle team sparkles at NDA

Corps of Signals: 14th Reunion in 1 STC, Jabalpur

Centenary Celebrations: Photos of Passing out Parade, opening of Girls Hostel and Exibition Hockey Match












Click here to view the Report and Photographs of the 14th Reunion and Centenary Celebrations- New Blog

Corps of Signals: 14th Reunion in 1 STC, Jabalpur

CORPS OF SIGNALS CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS AND 14TH REUNION
The Corps of Signals was raised on 15 Feb 1911 and will be celebrating its centenary on 15 Feb 2011. The journey of hundred years has been a saga of rich heritage, technological excellence, modernisation, brotherhood and pure soldiering. Several functions in various military stations throughout the Centenary Year (2010-2011) had maximum participation of serving and retired personnel. The final part of the celebrations will culminate in the 14th Reunion which will enable old comrades to renew and maintain contacts with each other and to honour and pay homage to our heroes. This is being held in 1 STC, Jabalpur and is an excellent expedient to inculcate a sense of tradition and espirt-de-corps. To this end, Signal Officer in Chief and Senior Colonel Commandant Lt Gen P Mohapatra, PVSM, AVSM, ADC and Brig SK Pillai, VSM Commandant 1 STC have planned the 14th Reunion Celebrations- a three day packed with events- for a Galaxy of serving and veterans of the Corps of Signals to showcase the past and present. These spectacular events will be unfolded on the three days from 13th Feb to 15 Feb 2011.

Click here to view the Report and Photographs of the 14th Reunion and Centenary Celebrations- New Blog

Corps of Signals- TV Panel Discussion

On the occasion of Centenary of Corps of Signals, “Day And Night News” TV Channel, Chandigarh, will telecast a discussion on Corps of Signals, as part of their program Defence Line. The details are as under:

Date and Timing
12 Feb 2011 Saturday at 9-30 PM
13 Feb 2011 Sunday at 1-30 PM

Participants
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM (Retd) former SO-in-C
Maj Gen Amarjit Singh Kahlon (Retd)
Maj Gen Sudesh Kumar (Retd)

TV Channel Day and Night News, Chandigarh- Platforms:
Dish TV- Channel 611
Big TV- Channel 462
Videocon- Channel 311
BSNL- Channel 75
Using a computer- Log on,‘youtube.com’ and search for after 12-2-2011 “Defence line-12-2-2011.”

Duration: 30 minutes approx
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Col Commandant 1988-91

PS
The Program can be seen on YouTube in two links below:

Part-1: Defence Line - 'Nerves' Of The Army - 12th Feb 2011

Part-2: Defence Line - 'Nerves' Of The Army - 12th Feb 2011

Corps of Signals Centenary Celebrations at MHOW

Corps of Signals Centenary celebrations were held at Mhow on 30 Sep and 01 Oct 2010. It was a double bonhomie because 01 Oct also happens to be the anniversary of MCTE, which completed 64 years of its existence on that day. A good number of former Commandants, Faculty Commanders and Instructors graced the occasion.

The first event was on 30 Sep 2010 at the famous Hema Ranges where an Air Show was held by the Army Aero Nodal Centre, Mhow. The AANC team put up a thrilling Air Show using five Microlight aircraft's and two Power Hang Gliders. The sky-diving team led by Lt Col Satyendra Verma, through their free fall and para-drops, made the event spectacular, showcasing their skills and daredevilry.

By 10 am, everybody was seated at the Garrison ground where the Corps of Signals Kalaripayattu and Taekwondo teams, Silent Drill Contingent and DR Display Team exhibited their expertise. Lt Col Satyendra Verma and Hav Parkhe sky-dived from a helicopter flying at 5000 ft. The landing which was perfect and at the centre of the Garrison ground received a big applause from the vast gathering. Lt Gen P Mohapatra, AVSM, ADC, SO-in-C and Senior Col Comdt was the Chief host.

Since the entire who’s who of Mhow were invited to witness the show, the Garrison ground was packed to the capacity. The spectators went home happy with their spirits heightened.

In the evening a social was organized at Milan. This venue for most of the guests was a sweet reminder of the yesteryears, when it used to be a plunge bath, till as late as Oct 1996. The old-timers still recall visiting the pool during Holi celebrations.

On 01 Oct, the MCTE raising day, an exhibition volleyball match was organized at the Airfield grounds. The match was played between 1 STC and Corps of Signals Team. Though the Corps team scored victory by a 3.0 margin, the sportsman spirit of the Signals was the ultimate winner.

After the match, everyone assembled at the College HQ Complex. The officers and ladies were ushered in to the Iyappa Hall (which serves as an auditorium) for the briefing and presentations. Lt Gen VK Sharma, Comdt MCTE and Col Comdt welcomed the guests to MCTE and thanked his predecessors for having built the College, brick by brick, to the level where it stands today.

Maj Gen GS Bisht, Dy Comdt MCTE welcoming the veterans to the College, gave out a brief presentation on the history of the Alma mater and highlighted the major milestones in its journey of 64 years. His presentation was followed by a short film on the College.

It was indeed a blending of the past with the present at the MCTE. Since all officers and their wives had been a part of the Alma mater at some time or the other. Some of them had done three tenures as instructors and as many as five courses

The visitors were then taken around the College so that they could correlate the past to the present through the class rooms, offices, labs, living accommodation. The old-timers were really lost in the web of time but it was an instant waking up to see the changes, so lively and so real

A Central Barakhana for all the guests was organized at the Football Grounds. The Corps Band was in attendance. In the evening a social was held in the HQ Officers’ Mess. Senior serving and retired officers and selected high ranking civilian dignitaries of Mhow and Indore were also invited. The night of 1st Oct, at the highest point of the ridge, where

the Lone Tree still stands strong, was charged with lot of bonhomie, fervor and esprit de corps.

This brought down the curtain upon the Mhow chapter of the Centenary celebrations. The presence of three Cols Comdt, former MCTE Comdts, Maj Gen (Retd) BS Paintal, Maj Gen (Retd) Shyamal Ghosh, Lt Gen (Retd) SK Dovedy, AVSM, Lt Gen (Retd) MK Ghosh, PVSM, AVSM, Lt Gen (Retd) Sudhir Kumar, PVSM, Lt Gen (Retd) RL Magotra, PVSM, VSM, Lt Gen (Retd) MG Datar, VSM, Lt Gen (Retd) SP Sree Kumar, PVSM, AVSM and Lt Gen (Retd) YS Panwar, AVSM,VSM and former SO-in-C Lt Gen (Retd) PGokarn, PVSM, AVSM and other senior officers made the celebrations really a once-in-a century event.

After the centenary year proceedings were launched at the Vigyan Bhawan by the Hon’ble President of India, on 15 Feb 2010, Mhow get-together was a major central function. The next venue is 2 STC, Goa, which hosts the Centenary events on 15 and 16 Nov 2010. Delhi would see some special events in Jan and Feb 2011, before all roads lead to and merge at 1 STC, Jabalpur to make it the grand finale and centenary REUNION from 13 to 15 Feb 2011.
Slideshow: click here to view 41 photos

Base Jump as part of Army Adventure

Colonel Satyendra Verma of the Army Signal Corps jumped from 450-ft level at the Pitampura TV tower in Delhi in a first such 'legal' jump attempted from a building, bridge or tower in the country. The event was a part of the Army Adventure Cell's celebration to mark 100 years of the Corps of Signals.
Click Link for Video Clip: Base Jump by Col Verma of Corps of Signals

A phone application that threatens security

Press Trust of India, Updated: October 04, 2010 09:58 IST
London: A cheap mobile phone application that can track the precise location of passenger aircraft in the sky can be a serious terrorist threat, security experts have claimed and called for its immediate ban.

The Plane Finder AR application, developed by a British firm for the Apple iPhone and Google's Android, allows users to point their phone at the sky and see the position, height and speed of nearby aircraft.

It also shows the airline, flight number, departure point, destination and even the likely course-the features which could be used to target an aircraft with a surface-to-air missile, or to direct another plane on to a collision course, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

The programme, sold for just 1.79 pounds in the online Apple store, has now been labelled an 'aid to terrorists' by security experts and the US Department of Homeland Security

Read more at: A phone application that threatens security

Qualcomm: The Future is an Internet of Everything

Paul Jacobs, Chairman and CEO, Qualcomm
Qualcomm based in San Diego California invented CDMA Technology. They proved the technology in New Delhi in collaboration with BSNL. The Company Celebrates 25 years of existence.

The Future is an Internet of Everything
Wireless has become the largest technology platform in human history and Qualcomm is the world leader in the development of the underlying technologies that enable next-generation mobile devices and experiences. As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, San Diego-based Qualcomm continues to drive the evolution of wireless worldwide and accelerate mobile growth and progress by pioneering exciting new solutions that are redefining what is possible in mobile.

This session highlights Qualcomm's vision for an "Internet of Everything" and what the Company is doing now to make vision of a totally connected world possible. Among the topics and trends expected to be covered are augmented reality, mobile social networking and recommendations, opportunities in emerging markets, wireless health, Qualcomm's breakthrough screen display technology, advanced network topology and of course, next-generation wireless air interfaces.

Milestones
A Qualcomm Quarter-Century By Joseph Perkins1985: Qualcomm founded in the den of former UCSD professor Irwin Jacobs’ La Jolla home.
1986: Files for a patent on using code division multiple access (CDMA) for mobile communications.
1987: Qualcomm records $6.5 million in revenue and $208,000 in net income for first full year.
1988: Introduces first commercial product, OmniTRACS, a satellite tracking system used by long-haul trucking companies.
1989: Brings some 250 cell phone executives to San Diego to demonstrate its CDMA technology, which allows 10 times more calls in the same amount of radio spectrum as a competing cellular technology.
1991: IPO raises $73.6 million. Trades on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol QCOM.
1993: CDMA is adopted by the Telecommunications Industry Association as a North American digital standard for cell phones.
1997: Pays $18 million to rename the San Diego Chargers' home to Qualcomm Stadium.
1998: Spins off Leap Wireless, today the nation’s seventh largest wireless carrier, on the strength of its subsidiary, Cricket Wireless.
1999: Joins the exalted ranks of both the Fortune 500 and S&P 500.
1999: Stock price increases an exponential 2,619 percent in a 12-month period, as several dozen local investors become “Quillionaires.”
2004: Creates MediaFLO division, which uses Qualcomm technology to transmit video and data to mobile devices, enabling users to watch live television on their cell phones.
2005: Irwin Jacobs retires as CEO, succeeded by Paul Jacobs, his third son.
2005: Becomes the world’s largest mobile chipset provider.
2010: San Diego’s largest company celebrates its 25th anniversary, with more than 16,000 employees worldwide and market capitalization of $60 billion.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Qualcomm
•Qualcomm stands for Quality Communications.
•Chairman and CEO Paul Jacobs boasts more patents than his father, founder Irwin Jacobs.
•Famed actress Hedy Lamarr was co-inventor of the technology that led to Qualcomm’s commercial development of CDMA, the nation’s cellular communications standard.
•Qualcomm’s first office was in a humble La Jolla strip mall, above a dry cleaner and pizza parlor, in Holiday Court off La Jolla Village Drive.
•Hal and Jeff Jacobs, second and fourth sons of founder Irwin, are members of the Pelican Group, a San Diego production company that helped bankroll the hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys
A Qualcomm Quarter-Century
More about Qualcomm- Click here

Photographs for Corps History

Dear Brigadier Kamboj,
Volume II of the Corps History covering the period 1947-72 has been completed. The only thing we lack is photographs. I request veterans to kndly help. I am sure there must be many who have personal albums. The photos can be scanned and sent to us by e mail. Alternately, they can be delivered to the Corps History Cell, in Signals Enclave, They will be returned after scanning.
We need photos of the following:

J&K ops in 1947-48

Sino-Indian conflict, 1962.

Bangladesh ops, 1971.

Training activity in MCTE, STC and units.
I would be grateful if this can be circulated. This will probably be the last appeal for help with the Corps History.
Maj Gen VK Singh (Retd)
Corps of Signals History Cell

Cyber war: Indian Army gearing up

Times of India Jul 19, 2010, 04.19pm IST
NEW DELHI: The Indian Army is fighting attacks in the cyber world with electronic warfare capability of the "highest standard", say officials pointing out that virtual strikes have shot up from hostile quarters in both sophistication and frequency.

"The army is cognisant of the threat to its cyber space from various state and non-state actors. But our network is well secured in compliance with the highest standards of cyber security," a senior official in the military headquarters told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The official said the army has established an "impenetrable and secure wide area network exclusively for its functioning".

Officials in the 1.3 million force privately admit they are facing "next generation threats" and are rather worried over the complex world of cyber warfare amid reports of Chinese and Pakistani spies targeting the Indian military establishment via the internet.

Though attacks from hackers - professional or amateur - can come from anywhere in the world, cyber onslaughts have been more frequent from China and Pakistan, which have reportedly been peeking into India's sensitive business, diplomatic and strategic records.

As per reports from the cyber industry, China and Pakistan hackers steal nearly six million files worldwide every day.

A report in the US-based Defence Systems magazine found that there were 25 million new strains of malware created in 2009. That equals a new strain of malware every 0.79 seconds. The report underlines how the current cyber threat environment is dramatically changing and becoming more challenging as the clock ticks.

Howevever, the Indian army is confident.

Revealing that secret information had been secured with unhackable electronic passwords, the official said various "cryptographic controls" have been incorporated in the wake of a significant number of viruses, worms and other forms of malware.

To address cyber defence, which is also under threat from terrorist outfits that have their own trained recruits, officials said the army frequently upgrades its comprehensive cyber security policy to pro-actively deal with and anticipate these threats.

The force has established the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to respond to attacks targeting the army's critical systems and infrastructure.

Another official said the army has its own cyber audit process conducted by cyber security personnel.

"The audit is conducted in accordance with established security standards such as ISO 27001. Audit of the network is a continuous and active process which helps identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities in a network to counter latest threats as also check the network for cyber security policy compliance," he said.

However, the official admitted there was no room for complacency in times of rapid technological change.

"In the area of cyber space, the battle between hackers and defenders is an ongoing process, influenced by latest technological developments. Due to the dynamic nature of threats, the army is constantly upgrading its network," he said.

Technology alone, however, cannot guarantee "fool-proof security", he said, adding the "Indian Army therefore emphasises on the people and the process to achieve compliance of best practices in this field".

"Regular training programmes are being conducted to enhance user awareness and counter threats like social engineering and phishing," he said.
Cyber war: Indian Army gearing up

National Security: Information and Cyber Warfare

The Tribune Tuesday, July 13, 2010, Chandigarh, India
Information Warfare
Decision makers should log-on to the nuances
Vulnerable information networks can adversely affect national security and create utter chaos. Safeguarding them is critical and the country ought to move fast to secure its cyber assets as potential adversaries already have an edge
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)
"For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill." So said noted Chinese military strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu. No doubt what he meant was ways to outwit and outmaneuver the enemy without resorting to arms.

Today this translates to a type of warfare dominated by the use and manipulation of information and information networks and subversion of data to one's own advantage, thereby bringing down an enemy by without actually firing a shot.

Information warfare is the offensive and defensive use of information and information systems to deny, exploit, corrupt, or destroy, an adversary's information, information-based processes, information systems, and computer-based networks while protecting one's own. Such actions are designed to achieve advantages over military, political or business adversaries.

One of the prime aims of Information warfare is to so manage the perception of the enemy top decision makers and even its people, that a nation's aims are met without recourse to war.

We are living in the Information Age. The means of gathering and disseminating information are exploding -- TV, Internet, media, news on cell phones, e-newspapers and e-books are available at home, in the work place and even on the move. The maxim, 'seeing is believing' has made TV very powerful in forming opinions and perceptions. Internet is another means used extensively. These are already being used as vehicles for information and disinformation. Since information is such a powerful tool, contesting entities, may they be nations, politicians, economic czars, terrorist organizations try and exploit its use and deny the same to the adversary. This leads to Information Warfare.

The terminology "Information Warfare" covers propaganda or disinformation leading to "perception management", which is making the targeted people believe, what you want them to believe. This is used both during peace and war, in diplomacy, politics, and economic relations and even in sports (pre match sound bytes!!). Before important international conferences, news leaks by unnamed representatives are commonly used to put pressure on the other side. The propaganda blitz during elections is also common the world over.

In a war scenario, information warfare starts much earlier, even before war clouds start to build. The warring nations may try and project their policy and strengths through speeches, press releases, pictures of their armed forces and so on. Aim being not only to detract the enemy from his plans and thinking but also to mould a favorable international opinion, in particular of international power centers, so important in today's world. The aim may be to see if the national objectives can be met or facilitated through information warfare and actual war avoided. On the other hand some powerful nations may use this to justify to their own people and the world at large going to war!

In any kind of warfare, there are both the offensive and defensive aspects. The aim has to be having an overwhelming edge on the adversary in propaganda. The offensive part also includes using electronic and ballistic means to disable or destroy enemy's TV and radio stations or jamming them.

This aspect of Information warfare has to be planned and coordinated at the highest level as part of national strategy. What to project at what time and how. In our case, the PMO will have to get involved.

In a war situation, Information warfare operations are to be undertaken, in the military arena; propaganda/perception management being a part and parcel. The armed forces today depend heavily on electronic systems, including communications, surveillance devices (satellites, radars, UAVs), weapon systems (missiles, rockets, guns), air and naval operations and electronic warfare. Information or intelligence is passed instantaneously, processed and disseminated speedily. Plans and orders issued and their implementation monitored leading to Network Centric Warfare. All such systems heavily depend on use of computers.

Information warfare is also integral part of deception. Use of computers enables doctoring of images quite realistically. This can help in projecting troops, aircraft, ships and weapon systems where they are not. According to Sun Zu, All warfare is based on deception.

Over 70 per cent of all intelligence is derived using electronic interceptions, both in peace and war. The aim has to be to make the battlefield transparent to own forces and blind the enemy. This is one of the prime objectives of information operations during war.

Disabling or doctoring enemy's computer based systems while ensuring use of the same by own forces is a critical aspect of information operations. This is also termed cyber warfare. However, cyber warfare is not restricted to armed forces networks but includes all national critical resources like transportation, water supply, law and order, telecommunications, financial systems (banking, stock markets), news media, medical etc. In short all systems which can adversely affect the war effort, the lives of people and thus create chaos. Safeguarding all such systems is critical to overall war effort.

Cyber warfare covers hacking and spread of viruses. The worst is to doctor the functioning of systems so that these get out of control. There are many reports of Indian and American computer systems being hacked. The fingers point invariably towards China, which has taken cyber warfare very seriously and made it a pillar of its strategy. It has raised a number of cyber warfare divisions.

India has also set up some organisations to counter these threats, both at national and military levels but much more needs to be done and fast. India has the required brains and technical resources. What is needed is the national will and according required priority and resources.

Our political leaders and bureaucrats who are the ultimate decision makers need to be well versed in the nuances of this new form of warfare. As of now, our potential adversaries have a big edge.
(The author is a former Signals Officer-in-Chief of the Indian Army)
Information Warfare: Decision makers should log-on to the nuances

US appoints first cyber warfare general

Pentagon creates specialist online unit to counter cyber attack amid growing fears of militarisation of the internet
Peter Beaumont, foreign affairs editor The Observer, Sunday 23 May 2010

The Pentagon is channelling a growing volume of troops and resources into countering cyber warfare. Photograph: Mike Nelson/AFP/Getty Images

The US military has appointed its first senior general to direct cyber warfare – despite fears that the move marks another stage in the militarisation of cyberspace.

The newly promoted four-star general, Keith Alexander, takes charge of the Pentagon's ambitious and controversial new Cyber Command, designed to conduct virtual combat across the world's computer networks. He was appointed on Friday afternoon in a low-key ceremony at Fort Meade, in Maryland.

The creation of America's most senior cyber warrior comes just days after the US air force disclosed that some 30,000 of its troops had been re-assigned from technical support "to the frontlines of cyber warfare".

The creation of Cyber Command is in response to increasing anxiety over the vulnerability of the US's military and other networks to a cyber attack.

James Miller, the deputy under-secretary of defence for policy, has hinted that the US might consider a conventional military response to certain kinds of online attack.

Although Alexander pledged during his confirmation hearings before the Senate committee on armed services last month that Cyber Command would not contribute to the militarisation of cyberspace, the committee's chairman, Senator Carl Levin expressed concern that both Pentagon doctrine, and the legal framework for online operations, had failed to keep pace with rapid advances in cyber warfare.

In particular Levin voiced concern that US cyber operations to combat online threats to the US, routed through neutral third countries, "could have broad and damaging consequences" to wider American interests.

Plans for Cyber Command were originally conceived under President George W Bush. Since taking office Barack Obama has embraced the theme of cyber security, describing it last year as "one of the most serious economic and national security challenges [the US faces] as a nation".

During his confirmation hearing, Alexander said that the Pentagon's networks were being targeted by "hundreds of thousands of probes every day" adding that he had "been alarmed by the increase, especially in this year".

Cyber warfare has increased rapidly in scale and sophistication with China accused of being at the forefront of prominent recent attacks, including the targeting of Google and 20 other companies last year as well as "Titan Rain" in 2003 – a series of coordinated attacks on US networks. Russian and North Korean hackers have also been accused of large-scale attacks.

Moscow was accused of being behind a massive cyber assault on Estonia in 2007 – the second largest cyber warfare operation ever conducted.

While Alexander has tried to play down the offensive aspects of his command, the Pentagon has been more explicit, stating on Friday that Cyber Command will "direct the operations and defence of specified Department of Defense information networks [involving some 90,000 military personnel] and prepare to, when directed, conduct full-spectrum military cyberspace operations in order to enable actions in all domains, [to] ensure US allied freedom of action in cyberspace and deny the same to our adversaries."

The complex issues facing Cyber Command were thrown into relief earlier this year when the Washington Post revealed details of a so-called "dot-mil" operation by Fort Meade's cyber warfare unit, backed by Alexander, to shut down a "honeytrap website" set up by the Saudis and the CIA to target Islamist extremists planning attacks in Saudi Arabia.

The Pentagon became convinced that the forum was being used to co-ordinate the entry of jihadi fighters into Iraq.

Despite the strong objections of the CIA, the site was attacked by the Fort Meade cyber warfare unit. As a result, some 300 other servers in the Saudi kingdom, Germany and Texas also were inadvertently shut down.

Of equally concern to those who had opposed the operation, it was conducted without informing key members of the Saudi royal family, who were reported to be "furious" that a counter-terrorism tool had been shut down.

The issue of cyber warfare – and how to combat it – has become an increasingly fraught one.

The need to have electronic warfare capabilities, say those who support them, has been proven repeatedly by the apparent success of hostile attacks on government networks, including last year's massive denial of service assault on networks in both the US and Korea.

Last year, hackers also accessed large amounts of sensitive data concerning the Pentagon's Joint Strike Fighter programme.

The difficulties facing the new command were underlined in March by former CIA director Michael V Hayden, who said that the Saudi operation had demonstrated that cyber warfare techniques were evolving so rapidly that they were now outpacing the government's ability to develop coherent policies to guide its use.

"Cyber was moving so fast that we were always in danger of building up precedent before we built up policy," Hayden said.
US appoints first cyber warfare general: Pentagon creates specialist online unit to counter cyber attack amid growing fears of militarisation of the internet.

Article of Interest
From the May- June 2010 issue: The American Interest: The Return of the Raj by C. Raja Mohan

Cyber Warfare is the New Gen Security Threat: Antony

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today asked the top brass of the Armed Forces to work in unison and make cyber systems 'as secure and as non-porous as possible'. Addressing the Army Commanders here, Shri Antony said cyber-warfare is becoming a serious threat to security.

"The paradigms of security in the age of Information Technology are seldom constant. The evolving security matrix is complex and calls for co-operation and coordination of the highest level. Today, no single service can work in isolation. Cyber warfare and threats to cyber security are fast becoming the next generation of threats. We need to make our cyber systems as secure and as non-porous as possible", he said.

Shri Antony made a strong plea for synergy among the three Forces and said the future security matrix calls for a high-degree of cooperation and inter-dependence among the Services. He said the primary area of focus should be to develop as a force capable of operating in joint network – centric environment. Besides these the other emerging areas that warrant synergised development are space, NBC, Cyber Warfare capabilities, Air Defence, Rotary Wing Assistance, precision munitions, standoff targeting and missiles, communication systems, logistics and joint training.

"Though significant progress has been made towards accomplishing jointness in various operational training and administrative facets among the three Services, there are a number of areas congruence that need to be strengthened further", he said.

Referring to the Modernisation Plans of the Armed Forces, the Defence Minister said it is in our long term national interest that we become self reliant in the field of critical defence equipment. He said modernisation plans of the Armed Forces encompass force modernisation and development of critical combat capabilities, not only against potential adversaries, but across the spectrum of conflict. Sitanshu Kar / RAJ
PIB: Cyber Warfare is the New Gen Security Threat: Antony

Army Commanders’ Conference
The Army Commanders’ Conference commenced at Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army) on 17 May 10. The five days conference, scheduled from 17 May 10 to 21 May 10 is being chaired by Army Chief General VK Singh. The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in his inaugural address emphasised on the necessity for force modernisation to meet emerging threats. He stressed on the requirement of Tri-Services synergy across the spectrum of conflict to meet our National Security needs. The Defence Minister brought out that Cyber Security is the next generation of threat. He stressed the need to make our cyber space fully secure. He said that the Govt was taking all necessary steps to ensure that the Indian Army is kept in a high state of operational preparedness as also ensuring high morale of troops through training and welfare measures.

The Army Chief General VK Singh during his address reviewed the Regional security situation, in which he spoke of the Asymmetric means adopted by non state actors and terrorists to achieve their objectives. He also mentioned the multi spectral threats, which directly affect military doctrines and restructuring.

General Singh stressed on the need to transform the Indian Army so as to customise its operational effectiveness. Talking about training, the Army Chief emphasised on realistic, imaginative and practical training. Referring to Low Intensity Conflict he stressed on “zero tolerance” to Human Rights violations.

Army Chief also emphasised on morals, ethics and value systems in the Army. He brought out that professional commitment, loyalty, sacrifice and integrity were the need of the hour and that there would be no compromise with respect to the image of the Army. Veerendra/Rajendra
Army Commander's Conference commenced: PIB

Jairam Ramesh and the assassin's mace

This write up deals with Cyber/ Electronic Warfare. It will be of great interest to Signal Officers

Bhaskar Roy | 2010-05-13 20:17:36
What Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in Beijing on the evening of May 8 must alarm India's security establishment.

For no apparent reason, Ramesh told a group of journalists that the policies of the Home and Defence Ministries, and other Indian security agencies towards China were "overly defensive", "alarmist" and "paranoid", and could freeze relations between the two countries.

Jairam Ramesh was talking about unverified reports that the Chinese telecommunication company Huawei technologies was being blocked from expanding its business because of India's Home Ministry and other security agencies. Ramesh came across as acting as an advocate of China or its telecommunication company.

Ramesh offers to resign, PM turns it down
China's telecommunication and informatization warfare is known as the "Assassin's Mace" weapon. This is an ancient warfare tactic, where an agent is embedded in an adversary's nerve center, to act on remote-controlled signal.

The US had done this through export of electronically controlled oil pipeline control systems in Russia. They also used the tactic during the first Iraq war, and neutralized Saddam Hussein's electronic and computer command-and-communications equipment, supplied earlier by US companies.

More by Bhaskar Roy
The same thing can be done with electronically-operated port and airport facilities, including waterworks. This does not mean India has to close everything to foreign participation. But decisions must be taken on companies and countries that have suspect track records.

The other question that raises red flags is why China is so insistent on access to India's telecommunication sector, ports and airports, and projects along the borders.

The Chinese have sophisticated ways of finding out the weaknesses of foreign interlocutors, and using these to influence them. Their methods include using women, wining and dining, paying attention to the interlocutor's frustrations and pampering his or her ego. "You are the greatest and you are our friend, and you can do it for both of us", is a popular line.
Jairam Ramesh needs to study China's strategy of deception. Thanks to his gaffe, India has been severely harmed.

Bhaskar Roy, who retired recently as a senior government official with decades of national and international experience, is an expert on international relations and Indian strategic interests.

Read the full article:
Jairam Ramesh and the assassin's mace

Related article
US Army Reorganizes Training for Intelligence Units

National Security: Army Major caught spying for Pak, tip-off came from US

Ministry of Defence clarifies 12:58 IST
A report has been published in Indian Express ”Army Major caught spying for Pakistan, tip-off came from US” by Ms Ritu Sarin on 06 May 10.

It is clarified that this is a case of computer hacking through an external agency. The matter is still under investigation, however so far there are no evidences to suggest of an “espionage case”. The officer was never under “safe custody” and is on duty in his parent unit. S Om Singh/Rajendra
Army Major Caught Spying For Pakistan

Ritu Sarin, Indian Express
Thursday , May 06, 2010 at 0215 hrs
Army Major caught spying for Pak, tip-off came from US
New Delhi: Around the time last month when the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was alerted about the possibility of one of their officers being involved in espionage, another sensitive counter-intelligence operation involving the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was in progress.

For over two weeks now, top Government sources say, an Army Major has been kept in "safe custody" of the Military Intelligence (MI). The officer -- posted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands -- is alleged to have passed on classified information to Pakistan.

The first tip-off in what could develop into another espionage scandal, according to sources, came from American authorities. Suspicious internet traffic first came to the notice of American intelligence agencies when intercepts showed a user in Andaman and Nicobar Islands had dispatched a picture of a serving Indian Brigadier, who was attending a training programme in the US, to Pakistan.

Indian agencies quickly zeroed in on the officer and a quiet operation was planned to call him to New Delhi. Sources say the officer pleaded ignorance of the traffic from his computer to Pakistan saying it could have been generated by some virus or unknown software.

However, suspicion persisted since the Major's computer had been recently formatted and cleaned of all contents. An early forensic examination done in New Delhi revealed the dispatch of classsified military information, some of which should not have been in the officer's possession. The hard disk of the officer's computer has since been sent by military authorities to a Hyderabad laboratory for accessing the erased contents.

"I do not have any information yet. I will have to find the details and then can get back to you," Army spokesperson Col S Om Singh said when contacted for a reaction.

Both Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Home Minister P. Chidambaram are learnt to be aware of the developments in the case, given the serious implications involved.

Source: Indian Express
Army Major caught spying for Pak, tip-off came from US

Corps of Signals celebrate centenary

Rajeev Khanna Tribune News Service Nainital, April 18
As the sun set in the mountains amid fast blowing winds on Saturday evening, the Central Support Signal Unit’s sport complex came alive with an exhilarating performance by the No. 1 Pipes and Drums Band of the Corps of Signals. The performance was part of the centenary celebrations of the corps coming into existence.

The band came up with one melodious tune after the other in perfect synchronisation. The ambiance of the mountains all around added to the charm of the event in which Army officers, jawans, their families and several civilian dignitaries had their appetite for good music satiated.

The performance began with all-time popular military tunes and the bagpipers and the drummers went on to play several popular tunes from Bollywood drawing a thunderous applause every time. The performers were led by Naib Subedar SA Kumbhar.

The No.1 Band of the corps has an interesting history. It was in 1918 when eight buglers from Corps of Sappers and Miners were selected to form the band.

Since some of the buglers could play pipes, they were used for playing the instrument from 1921 to 1926.

The band was originally known as Shehnai Band. It was formally set up in 1927, but the establishment effectively came into being only in 1940.
Corps of Signals celebrate centenary