Leveraging Cyberspace in Counterinsurgency Operations
Abstract
Military forces today are facing traditional, irregular, catastrophic, and disruptive challenges. U.S. military forces are conducting counterinsurgency operations (COIN) in populated neighborhoods amongst innocent people. The enemy is using insurgency and hybrid warfare to make it more difficult for the United States and coalition forces to employ kinetic weapon systems and technology. This paper argues that the use of cyberspace by insurgents is more prominent, lethal, and difficult to defeat. The paper will use operations in Afghanistan as a case study. First, this paper will provide background of how forces predominantly fought in the past and employed conventional weapons in Counterinsurgency operations. Second, the author will clearly define cyberspace and present an in-depth discussion into the employment techniques, challenges and advantages of this readily available technology. Next, the paper will discuss Computer Network Attack (CNA), Computer Network Defense (CND), agencies and in theater policies at the strategic level. Lastly, the paper will close with a few recommendations that provide techniques to safeguard theater networks, resources and means to limit the numerous cyber challenges.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA518424
Entities
People
- Aaron A. Webster
Organizations
- United States Army War College