Posturing U.S. Air Force Intelligence to Better Support Operations Against Cyber Threats
Abstract
The United States Air Force, like others within the national Intelligence Community (IC), does not provide adequate Intel support to cyberspace operations due to the unique complexity of cyber. Technology-based threats are so rampant that cyber recently emerged as a war-fighting domain indicating its importance to decision makers. Although the DOD established Cyber Command, which leads the Defense Department cyber mission, Air Force Intel has made slow progress in embracing cyberspace challenges and posturing itself to provide support. This paper outlines steps that must occur for the Air Force to provide timely and accurate intelligence support to cyberspace operations since the Air Force is not responding quickly enough to these threats. It describes the cyber domain, its importance, and the necessary mindset change to support cyberspace operations. Additionally, a cadre of cyber-savvy intelligence professionals should be created; otherwise significant progress will not come to fruition. The discussion begins with a brief examination of the post-9/11 restructuring of the national IC for relevant historical data. This is followed by a look at the current mindset involving cyberspace operations, newly developed cyber doctrine, and necessary intelligence training. The paper concludes with recommendations that the Air Force might use to remedy the situation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 14, 2011
- Accession Number
- AD1019085
Entities
People
- Erwin A. Larios
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College