The Framework for Offensive Cyber Operations in Warfare categorizes offensive cyber operations based on the circumstances of their use across the different phases of war, from pre-conflict shaping operations, to prior to the battle or in the rear echelon, to the actual battlefield. Although these offensive cyber operations “have not achieved any systemic effects, and they have arguably been less cost-effective — or at least more capacity-constrained — than kinetic fires,” they indicate that states will use cyber capabilities in new ways during wartime.5Framework for Offensive Cyber Operations in WarfareTable 1 summarizes the Framework for Offensive Cyber Operations in Warfare, which categorizes operations by when or where the operation in question took place as well as by the intent of that operation. The Framework for Offensive Cyber Operations in Warfare could also be substantially improved by incorporating not just offensive cyber operations, but defensive ones as well.71 The principal difficulty of including defensive operations is that defense tends to be diffuse, loosely coordinated, and steady state. If conflicts between cyber powers become more frequent, offensive cyber operations will continue to be used in surprising ways. Offensive cyber operations in warfare may also move in surprising directions based on technological changes.

Source: Washington Post August 01, 2024 18:39 UTC