The Future of Strategic Information and Cyber-Enabled Information Operations

To prepare for future challenges across the continuum of conflict, the United States (US) must optimize how it manages, counters, defends, and exploits the effects of information by organizing for strategic information and cyber-enabled information operations across and through multiple domains. Currently, information related capabilities are fielded across the United States Government (USG) among multiple organizations and agencies, and therefore lack efficiencies normally gained through combined action, unity of command, and unity of effort. In considering a solution to these challenges, this study examines historic and current examples of successful information operations to show organization matters, and reviews options to organize for future engagements. The methodology used to conclude a new approach is necessary is patterned after a 1941 study on production requirements for the US to enter World War II. This article similarly considers answers to related questions, and shows the creation of an organization and the designation of a senior official responsible for strategic information and cyber-enabled information operations empowers the nation to integrate, synchronize, and harmonize activities pursuant to a national and defense information strategy, thereby making the joint force more lethal, and posturing the USG for dominance in the information environment.