Information: North Torbia

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The Democratic People’s Republic of Torbia (DPRT), also known as North Torbia, is a repressive information environment, with the government controlling all important information environment elements to deter internal and external opposition parties. North Torbia is very adept at information control, utilizing programs in place for years to monitor and direct communications. In addition, North Torbia's INFOWAR capability is extremely capable, with areas of excellence in select disciplines. North Torbia will continue to research and develop more advanced systems. North Torbia utilizes its cyber program against external opposition parties and foreign governments with success, and will continue its operations providing their cyber operators with greater experience and more advanced techniques.

Satellite Telecommunications

North Torbia is in the early stages of manufacturing and launching their own satellites. Presently, North Torbia operates one earth observation satellite that utilizes X-Band transponders to communicate images for download while in a sun-synchronous polar orbit. This satellite is projected to be operational for at least four to eight years, and is claimed to be used for agriculture, exploration, mapping, utilities management, and urban planning. North Torbia may also be using satellites from Olvana, Donovia, or other nations to advance its weapons research programs.

Navigation

North Torbia does not have its own Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and must rely on outside GNSS systems. The military uses Donovian and Olvanese satellite navigation systems; they may use western GPS systems as well. Additionally, it is possible North Torbia uses commercial sector technologies adapted to support military objectives.

Public Communications Media

North Torbia’s heavy-handed control of public communications allows the country to exert total control over its population. Internal opposition is suppressed through a variety of public media forums. All significant public media is government-controlled, and messages are crafted to portray North Torbia’s ruling regime, the Torbian Worker's Party (WPT), and its Secretary-General, in the best possible light.

Internet

North Torbia is a relative newcomer to the internet and has not adopted mainstream internet technology due to its isolationist ways. The internet is viewed by the WPT as a potential threat, as it allows access to a variety of views and opinions not consistent with the government’s stance. To protect against this, the WPT exerts strong control of internet infrastructure development. The country has some broadband infrastructure, to include fiber optic links between major institutions. Online services for most individuals and institutions are provided through a free domestic-only network known as Net-Torbia, with limited global access to a select group of users.

The Central Information Agency for Technology (CIAT) controls all of the country’s internet address allocations and thus all internet access. Internet connection in North Torbia is provided by a joint venture between North Torbia and Olvana. Prior to this joint venture, internet access was available only through a satellite link with an unidentified European country, though the government also accessed through connections with Olvana in the recent past. Only certain groups within North Torbia are permitted to access the internet, such as WPT members and some Cabinet-level government organizations. Additionally, foreign diplomatic missions, joint ventures, and foreign individuals staying in Baguio, have full—but monitored—access to the internet at their workplaces and at certain international hotels.

In addition to the new but limited internet access, North Torbia developed a nationwide intranet fifteen years ago, with a sophisticated architecture and a backbone capacity of 1 GB per second. This intranet is controlled by the CIAT, who also has the responsibility for connecting all government institutions at the national, provincial, and county levels. The intranet is filtered by the CIAT, which regulates information deemed acceptable by the government. The majority of the general population does not seem to have a problem with no outside internet access, as most have no knowledge of what the internet is due to the restrictive policies currently in place by the government.

Television

Television in North Torbia is subject to the control of the Central Committee for Radio and Television. More than fifty percent of the population has television access. Televisions are supplied pre-tuned to only official North Torbian stations, and are subject to inspection for compliance. State television is always off air until its evening news broadcast at 1700. Exceptions to this are Sundays, when it begins at 0600, emergency events, live events, and national holidays.

There are seven nationwide television channels, as well as a local channel at the provincial level. All broadcast media in some way promotes the regime's ideologies and positions. Two years ago, a state-approved video streaming service was launched to stream live national TV, on-demand video, and newspaper articles from state controlled news services over the internet. The service is currently available only to citizens in the capital due to the country's limited internet access. The national population is prohibited to tune into any foreign broadcasts, as they are deemed to portray a negative image of the regime.

Radio

The WPT controls all radio broadcasts originating in the country. Due to the economic conditions in the country and the short broadcast day, 0900 to 1500, radio is the most widely used medium. All legal radios are modified to receive only government stations. The national AM stations, Baguio Broadcasting Station (Radio Baguio) and Voice of Torbia (DPRT Central Broadcasting Station), as well as the national FM station, One Torbia, are the main domestic radio media. In addition, smaller community stations air local programming. The national broadcast radio stations operate throughout the country, providing the majority of the information to the average citizen. Any person visiting North Torbia—for business or pleasure—is banned from bringing a radio into the country.

North Torbian exiles and refugees created an independent radio station near the Torbian border in an attempt to better inform and influence the population of North Torbia, using loudspeakers and black market radios. Radio Free Torbia broadcasts daily to North Torbia’s population and serves as an independent news outlet for the populace, allowing international news to reach them.

Print Media

North Torbia has eight principal newspapers and thirteen major periodicals, all published in Baguio and shipped to different regions for distribution. Censorship abounds, as the regime limits the ability of the citizens to access outside information. Those that attempt to listen to or read any outside media risk harsh penalties, such as forced labor. Only senior WPT officials are permitted access to external news sources. North Torbian journalists all belong to the WPT, and use their positions to consolidate national unity.

Foreign journalists are typically defamed in official government media for attempting to destabilize the government. Foreign journalists are encouraged to not enter North Torbia—unless invited by the government—and are not allowed to have or use cell phones and GNSS devices. Foreign journalists are warned not to speak about sensitive political issues with citizens, and their movements are very strictly restricted. They are typically accompanied by a guide at all times, to prohibit them from visiting restricted areas without prior permission.

Telephone

North Torbian telephone architecture operates with a combination of landlines and mobile services. North Torbia has an estimated 1.07 million landlines and 3.16 million mobile subscribers. North Torbia has a nationwide fiber-optic network and mobile-cellular service. Landline phones are generally only installed for senior government officials; someone wanting a phone installed must fill out a form indicating their rank, why they want a phone, and how they will pay for it. Most of these are installed in government offices, collective farms, and state-run businesses, with only perhaps fifteen percent controlled by individuals or households. Thirty percent of Baguio citizens between the ages of twenty and fifty have a mobile phone.

North Torbian mobile phones use a digital signature system to prevent unauthorized access to certain files, as well as login usage information that can be physically inspected. No mobile provider can dial into or out of the country. The current 3G network covers eighty percent of the population, but only covers sixteen percent of the territory.

The domestic telecommunications network connects to international telecom networks via satellite links, fiber optic cable, and other international connections. A satellite ground station near Baguio provides direct international communications using the International Telecommunications Satellite Corporation (Intelsat) Indian Ocean satellite. Additionally, a satellite communications center was installed in Baguio fifteen years ago, with Western technical support.

Postal/Courier

North Torbia’s postal service—The Post of DPRT—is operated by the Ministry of Information's Post and Telecommunications Maintenance Bureau (PTMB), which oversees postal communications, telegrams, newspapers, and other related materials. Each province has a branch of the PTMB; each village has a postal service office to deliver letters, packages, and telegrams. Agents of the State Security and Inspectors Department are stationed at the Ministry's offices to open, read, and surveil citizens to ensure their loyalty to the state.

Word of Mouth

Word of mouth is an important communications apparatus, especially in rural North Torbia. With the current regime, any type of speech, verbal or printed, not approved by the government is dangerous and could lead to detention or even death. Despite having a postal system, word of mouth remains the most common way information is spread throughout the country.

Information Control

Information control is very strong within North Torbia’s borders. The government controls every possible aspect of information distribution in order to ensure that only information they deem worthy is provided to the populace. This includes access to external media and tight control of the internet. The press is tightly controlled by the state, and the government only allows speech that supports it and the ruling regime. The WPT rigorously limits the ability of the people and foreign journalists to access internal information about state entities, and attempts to monitor and regulate all forms of communication. Accessing unauthorized foreign media or possessing dissident publications are considered crimes against the state and carry serious punishments, including hard labor, prison sentences, and the death penalty. Citizens of North Torbia are often interrogated or arrested for speaking critically about the government; they also face arrest for possessing or watching black-market recordings of television programs. In recent years, the government issued an ordinance forbidding foreign diplomats from possessing any media critical of the regime within North Torbia’s borders.

INFOWAR

North Torbia has an Information Warfare (INFOWAR) capability, but relies on older technology in some areas. North Torbia will continue to research and develop more modern capabilities, but due largely to sanctions, it will be a few years before any modern assets are available. North Torbia will rely on its maturing cyber operations and information operations as the most prominent capabilities in their INFOWAR arsenal.

Electronic Warfare

North Torbia’s electronic warfare (EW) capabilities are limited. While still capable against lesser regional foes, it will likely prove inadequate against Western opponents, or any opponent equipped with more modern EW equipment. North Torbia’s EW doctrine continually adapts to the changing advancements in their own technology, trying to mitigate technology gaps with more advanced countries. North Torbia maintains a large array of ground and airborne sensors and jammers in its inventory. The main objective of North Torbia’s EW operations is the disruption or destruction of enemy command and control networks through the use of relatively crude techniques, such as barrage jamming with large numbers of emitters.

Computer Attack

North Torbia maintains the second most-robust computer attack capability in the region. It includes a large and capable cyber cadre, possibly 2,500 to 4,000 personnel. North Torbia has a robust and effective training program for its cyber personnel. The Government has employed computer attacks in the past with great success, and will not hesitate to launch additional attacks if it perceives a threat against its sovereignty. In addition, North Torbia leverages independent foreign hacker groups for personnel, hardware and software to further their capabilities while remaining anonymous. The country has trained cadres of hackers, both within North Torbia and in other nearby countries. After they complete their training, hackers are deployed throughout the world to launch attacks where a more reliable internet infrastructure exist.

North Torbia’s cyber cadre conducts operations such as reconnaissance, sabotage and criminal activities. These operations allow for minimal operational risk, while at the same time, may cause disruptions and generate illegal funds for North Torbia. In addition to the previously mentioned operations, other missions include denying the enemy their command and control capabilities, while at the same time defending North Torbia’s networks from enemy operations. The cyber cadre also targets enemy air defense systems and early warning networks, enabling air and missile operations against critical targets throughout the region.

Information Attack

North Torbia possesses one of the most-developed information attack (IA) capabilities in the region, second only to the People’s Republic of Olvana. North Torbian IA capability has grown along with their cyber capability over the last eight years. While its capabilities continue to improve, North Torbian IA will still continue to be only marginally effective against top-tier nation states and their allies. Current capabilities include distributed denial of services, defacing of websites, and implementation of a tool to gain access to systems done by teams outside of the country.

Deception

Deception remains a major part of North Torbia’s military operations, and its importance will only increase in the future. North Torbia focuses on deception to mask operations and allow North Torbian forces to defeat opponents they believe to have an advantage. North Torbia will likely use a variety of ruses such as decoys to avoid and confuse enemy collection assets.

Physical Destruction

North Torbian deep strike elements such as short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, strike aircraft, and special operations forces will aggressively target enemy INFOWAR assets and capabilities. These elements could combine with their strong cyber capabilities to amplify the effects of targeting key assets. Targets include intelligence collection assets and communication nodes, allowing maximum freedom of maneuver and protection from enemy targeting.

Protection and Security Measures

Due to North Torbia having only a primitive internet infrastructure, the threat from outside entities is minimal. The only potential vulnerabilities are the limited outside internet connections utilized by select cabinet post and WPT members for official government business. North Torbia employs very stringent accountability of all documents produced by the government and armed forces; documents typically are to not leave approved facilities. These facilities are patrolled by armed guards with a well-protected and monitored central entry point.

Perception Management

North Torbia attempts to craft anti-Western perceptions through their state run media. North Torbia also uses perception management as a mechanism to generate support for the WPT. Regionally, North Torbia portrays themselves as defending against outside forces they deem intent on replacing the current regime. North Torbia stresses the shared social values with South Torbia, and attempts to strengthen their relations with People’s Republic of Olvana. North Torbia may attempt to portray the Republic of Torbia as “lackeys” of the West, due to the influence of money and reliance on military support.

Intelligence

North Torbia operates a large, operationally diverse, and highly experienced intelligence organization. North Torbian intelligence operations focus on supporting military operations, suppressing internal and external political dissent, and collection from potential Western and regional threats. North Torbia has sophisticated human intelligence (HUMINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) programs. North Torbia’s open source intelligence (OSINT) program is most likely conducted by teams outside of the country—where internet access is more abundant—who then forward information to select  government members. Additionally, North Torbia has access to commercial off-the-shelf satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for imagery intelligence (IMINT). North Torbia’s IMINT program will likely develop more slowly than their HUMINT, OSINT, and SIGINT programs. Additionally, North Torbian intelligence services use the vast web of interconnected economic and familial connections for collection and influence.

Human Intelligence

North Torbia has a robust HUMINT program. It operates internally to suppress opposition groups, and externally to collect against foreign governments. Members of the program endure an extended training program—normally four to twelve months—on collection operations before being transferred to an operational unit. The majority of HUMINT operations are conducted along the border with and inside of South Torbia. These operations focus on identifying individuals of the local populace that are a threat to the stability of the government within North Torbia, as well as any individuals trying infiltrate into the country to assist those who seek to overthrow the government. These teams may also operate south of the border, to gain information on the composition and disposition of forces that constitutes the main external threat to the regime.

Due to sanctions imposed by the United Nations and select Western nations, stealing advanced technologies is one of the major missions for HUMINT agents outside of North Torbia. These agents will use all necessary means to acquire technical data to be replicated within North Torbian borders. Additionally, HUMINT operations outside of North Torbia may attempt blackmail, extortion and recruitment of foreign nationals. The money received from blackmail or extortion operations will be used to procure resources currently unavailable to North Torbia. The recruitment of foreign nationals assists with infiltration of corporations, enabling industrial espionage. The personnel recruited are normally sympathetic to the North Torbian international issues, and will do whatever it takes to ensure the regime stays in power with their assistance.

Open Source Intelligence

North Torbia operates a massive OSINT program against South Torbia, the US, and other Western countries. North Torbia mobilized a large force of cyber collectors—most with computer warfare and English language skills—both to collect data on internal opposition to the North Torbian government and collect on potential adversaries. This data will be used to project future regional diplomacy and give the North Torbian government a platform from which to react to perceived regional and international threats.

Signals Intelligence

The North Torbian SIGINT program operates in areas that are of high interest to the government, such as along the border with South Torbia. Regional and Western countries can expect the North Torbian SIGINT to provide the military with useable indications and warning, capabilities assessment, and targeting intelligence. Most North Torbian SIGINT operators have significant experience. North Torbian SIGINT inventory consist of ground, airborne and maritime platforms. Additionally, North Torbia may cooperate extensively with the People’s Republic of Olvana and Donovia in SIGINT operations.

Imagery Intelligence

North Torbian IMINT operations utilize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and other air-breathing platforms, such as fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. North Torbian UAV’s can be used along the border areas—and even into South Torbian airspace—to detect any buildup of forces that could be indications of possible future operations by South Torbia. UAVs for IMINT are easier to infiltrate across the border due to their small size, as they are harder to detect and defeat.

 North Torbia also has access to a government-owned and operated earth observation satellite. This satellite is in low earth orbit (LEO) and believed to have a life span of four to eight years. Images received from this satellite are periodically transmitted to a ground station located somewhere in North Torbia at least three to four times a day. To further supplement its IMINT requirements, the North Torbian military regularly purchases commercial imagery from other countries.

Measurement and Signatures Intelligence

North Torbia does not have a MASINT capability and relies on its military partners for any such information.