Incorporating Offensive Cyber Operations into Conventional Deterrence Strategies

Abstract

The White House recently declared that the United States is creating cyber weapons to defend itself. An operational declaration soon followed, with the Secretary of Defense stating that the Department's mission is to provide offensive cyber options that can be used in a conflict as were doing now against [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]. The development of such weapons poses a host of questions for the defense and policy communities. This paper addresses one such question: How can these weapons be effectively incorporated into conventional deterrence and strategic deterrence strategies? This Research Insights article, a summary of an article recently published in Survival (59:1, 103-134) (IDA NS D-8213), summarizes approaches and frameworks for guiding the use of cyber weapons both independently and integrated with other military capabilities to support the United States national interests.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1223835

Entities

People

  • Michael P. Fischerkeller

Organizations

  • Institute for Defense Analyses

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Cyber - Legality in Cyberspace