BACKGROUND |
The contemporary operating environment (COE) has been characterized by the convergence of two broad societal trends. The first trend is the increased appearance of, and involvement by, non-state actors in violent conflict, whether as a proxy for a state or as the primary or principle adversary. The second trend is the exploitation of the cyber-domain, specifically – but not limited to – social media (Web 2.0), by non-state actors to shape and manage the narrative and conduct influence operations. Although Western militaries have achieved, on the whole, technical overmatch in the areas of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision munitions, as well as the employment of unmanned aircraft in denied areas, they have been particularly slow to embrace and exploit social media. The result has been the emergence of an asymmetric advantage on part of non-state actors, in particular in the realm of offensive cyber-influence operations. Moreover, it can be argued that, although still early-on, we have entered a new phase in the evolution of warfare – one which is characterized by the supremacy of information and influence over traditional kinetic operations.
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OBJECTIVES |
This TAP proposes a SAS Symposium to identify and examine issues related to the exploitation of the cyber-domain and the conduct of offensive cyber-influence by non-state actors, as well as to identify and discuss capability gaps and requirements to conduct offensive, defensive, and exploitation operations in cyber-space, with a particular focus on the social media environment. Specific objectives include: 1. Enhanced understanding of the current state of development of Information Operations (Info Ops) doctrine in partner nations, and challenges in effective application; 2. Development of a theoretical framework for Info Ops to help define a future research agenda; 3. Development of strategies on how influence capabilities of military and civilian organizations could be better harmonised to achieve desired strategic effects and outcomes; 4. Identification of what capabilities are required for effective Info Ops across the dimensions Information (systems), Physical, and Cognitive Dimensions; and, 5. Exploration of the underlying concepts for the future development and evolution of joint Info Ops doctrine.
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