Variety Dynamics for Taking Control of Complex Heterogenous Systems in Information Warfare
Abstract:
This paper introduces the use of Variety Dynamics in information warfare. A central challenge of Information Warfare is to control situations using influence via information factors. Typical information warfare situations are a heterogenous mix of physical and informatic systems changing dynamically: with multiple owners/controllers of the different elements and whose power, skill, and allegiances change as do subsystems, elements, and relationships, including those with external entities. All of these are subject to change due to relationships within the situation and are also influenced from external locations, relationships, and motivations. These factors and structures are often opaque, hidden, or deceitful. Conventional systems or causal theories do not apply well to controlling such systems. Variety Dynamics is offered as an alternative method of influence, analysis, and control.
AUTHORS
Industrial Design, University of Tehran, Kish, Iranand Design Out Crime and CPTED
Centre, Australia
Dr. Terence Love is CEO of the Design Out Crime and CPTED Centre. Previously, he has been a Senior Research Fellow at several universities in Australia and the UK and has undertaken research into management information systems, crime prevention and security, design and innovation, systems thinking, mathematics, and humanities. He has been involved with Dr Trudi Cooper in developing the field of variety dynamics as an alternative practical and theoretical approach to the management of power in highly complex dynamic situations. Love is a Chartered Mathematician, a Fellow of the Design Research Society, and a member of the Operational Research Society, the Association of Computing Machinery, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, and the Australian Information Security Association.
School of Arts and Humanities Edith Cowan University,
Australia
Trudi Cooper is an Associate Professor in youth work and a Research Member of the Centre for People Place and Planet at Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia. Her research includes systems thinking, youth work theorisation, youth research, sustainable development, and ecopedagogy. She has received institutional and national awards for teaching, is an Australian Learning and Teaching Fellow, and the Vice -President (Australia) of the International Federation of National Teaching Fellows.
Published In
Journal of Information Warfare
The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.
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