Cyberwarfare as Realized Conflict

Abstract

Cyberspace conflict involves activities that create physical, informational, and social effects at tactical, operational, strategic, and political levels, across the entire competition-war continuum. The actors range from nation-states to extremist organizations, insurgents, opposition groups, and activist organizations. The United States and its Western partners operate at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to cyberwarfare: First, it cannot be understood in the context of traditional force-on-force conflict which is the current foundation for joint military operations. Second, Western governments possess limited control over the Internet their citizens use, while many competitors exercise complete control. Third, the West maintains a clear separation between national security and commercial cyberspace which creates an exploitable seam that does not exist with key competitors. To avoid US and partner adversaries achieving an overwhelming advantage in cyberspace, the United States and its partners must recognize their centers of gravity, the means available to an adversary to exploit these seams, and develop a comprehensive strategy leveraging both defensive and offensive lines of operation.