The application of information management is very vital in any security agency especially since the dawn of Information Age that bring new and more complex challenges to the need of security. In Malaysia, the latest Automaton Enforcement System (AES) is one of the method implemented by the Malaysian government to ensure the security in the road around Malaysia. However, I will not discuss any further about the AES because I am quite sure someone else will write about them. Instead, I will discuss about the application of M.I.S in the military and in particular is about the application by the Malaysian Armed Force or Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) .
ATM Logo (Source: Google)
I choose to discuss about this topic is mainly as a homage to the ATM for their success for entering the Final of Piala Malaysia (Malaysian Cup). Despite their lost to Kelantan in a close match of 3-2, I believe ATM can pull it off in the next season because they are very good in organizing strategy and managing information. Before I begin, I would like to state that some of the information that I am going to discuss will not be very specific because it involves a matter of national security and are considered as classified information. So, please understand that the content of this discussion is definitely not the true capabilities of ATM but just a hint of what ATM can do.
The Roles of ATM (Source: Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia / MinDef)
Based from many sources on the Internet, ATM is said to operate a centralized Command & Control (C&C) System that combine its three services, Army (TD), Navy (TLDM) and the Air Force (TUDM). Although all of the three services have their own C&C but it will be linked through a centralized network system to the Wisma Pertahanan where the information will be managed by a classified system which is commonly known as Battlefield Management System (BMS) in order to help the process of decision making by government and the top military chiefs regarding any potential security or military activity. This system functioned almost like the Executive Support System (ESS) that are used by the corporate businesses but much more complex.
ATM Radar & Surveillance System (Source: MilitaryofMalaysia)
BMS is linked with several complementary systems that operate the functions such as surveillance, intelligence, logistic and weaponry. These system will be organized by the BMS to support an individual system in the battlefield or combat zone commonly known as Combat Support System (CSS) operated by the field commander. The main different between BMS and CSS is the person whom the information are for. BMS for example is for the commander-in-chief whom organizing the whole aspects of the operation while CSS in for the field commander whom is in the combat zone organizing the combat operation. It is almost like the relationship between ESS for the top managers while the Decision Support System (DSS) for the lower frontline managers.
Example of CSS (Source: Google)
CSS is very important for any military mission. This system will allows the commanders in the field to analyze the situation and report the information back to the headquarter quickly, accurately and most important secretly. All CSS must be equipped with the latest security application in order to avoid counter-intelligence by the enemy. Besides that, CSS also had one very important function which is to create 'Situational Awareness' in the battlefield.
Situational Awareness (Source: Google)
Situational Awareness is a term used by the military for a situation where the military unit has complete information on the surrounding pertaining the geographical landscape, weather condition and enemy position. This will allows the unit to act fast with the right strategy to accomplish the mission or objective given by the headquarter. One must not underestimates the important of Situational Awareness in the battlefield because the military cannot afford any mistake or uncertainty in any military operation as the stakes involve human lives and the national security interest.
"Strategy is an art of making use of time and space"
Napolean Bonaparte
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