About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

1 1 (December 14, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govensc0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 




Con   gres&onal Fes
info   rig I I~ live   d  ha


3rch   Service
since 1914


Updated December  14, 2023


Defense Primer: Cyberspace Operations


Overview
The Department of Defense (DOD)  defines cyberspace as a
global domain within the information environment (IE)
consisting of the interdependent networks of information
technology infrastructures and resident data, including the
internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems,
and embedded  processors and controllers. Joint Publication
(JP) 3-12, Joint Cyberspace Operations describes
cyberspace operations as the employment of cyberspace
capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve
objectives in or through cyberspace. The DOD Information
Network  (DODIN)  is a global infrastructure carrying DOD,
national security, and related intelligence community
information and intelligence.

Cyberspace operations are composed of the military,
intelligence, and ordinary business operations of the DOD
in and through cyberspace. Military cyberspace operations
use cyberspace capabilities to create effects that support
operations across the physical domains and cyberspace.

Cyberspace operations are categorized into the following:

  Offensive Cyberspace  Operations, intended to project
   power by the application of force in and through
   cyberspace. These operations are authorized like
   operations in the physical domains.

  Defensive Cyberspace  Operations, to defend DOD or
   other friendly cyberspace. These are both passive and
   active defense operations and are conducted inside and
   outside of DODIN.

  DODIN   Operations, to design, build, configure, secure,
   operate, maintain, and sustain DOD communications
   systems and networks across the entire DODIN.

Cyber Strategy
In March 2023, the White House released a national
cybersecurity strategy consisting of five pillars: (1) defend
critical infrastructure; (2) disrupt and dismantle threat
actors; (3) shape market forces to drive security and
resilience; (4) invest in a resilient future; and (5) forge
international partnerships to pursue shared goals.

In 2022, DOD  issued a new, classified Cyber Strategy,
superseding the unclassified 2018 DOD Cyber Strategy.
The unclassified summary of the 2022 Strategy (released in
2023) maintains the previous strategy's emphasis on
operations to defend forward, meaning to disrupt or halt
malicious cyber activity at its source, including activity that
falls below the level of armed conflict. Defending forward
may  involve an aggressive active defense, meaning
activities designed to disrupt an adversary's network when
hostile activity is suspected. Four complementary lines of


effort are highlighted: to defend the nation; prepare to fight
and win the nation's wars; protect the domain with allies
and partners; and build enduring advantages in cyberspace.

Cyber M      sson   Force
DOD  began to build a Cyber Mission Force (CMF) in 2012
to carry out DOD's cyber missions. The CMF consists of
133 teams that are organized to meet DOD's three cyber
missions. Specifically, Cyber Mission Force teams support
these mission sets though their respective assignments:

  Cyber  National Mission Teams  defend the nation by
   observing adversary activity, blocking attacks, and
   maneuvering in cyberspace to defeat them.

  Cyber  Combat  Mission Teams  conduct military cyber
   operations in support of combatant commands.

  Cyber  Protection Teams defend the DOD  information
   networks, protect priority missions, and prepare cyber
   forces for combat.

  Cyber  Support Teams  provide analytic and planning
   support to National Mission and Combat Mission teams.

CMF  teams reached full operational capacity at over 6,200
individuals in May 2018. Organizationally, the Cyber
Mission Force is an entity of the United States Cyber
Command.

United States Cyber Command
In response to the growing cyber threat, in 2009 the
Secretary of Defense directed the establishment of a new
military command devoted to cyber activities.
USCYBERCOM's stated mission is   to to direct,
synchronize, and coordinate cyberspace planning and
operations to defend and advance national interests in
collaboration with domestic and international partners.
Elevated to a unified combatant command in May 2018,
USCYBERCOM is commanded by a four-star general,   who
is also the director of the National Security Agency and
chief of the Central Security Service. The commander
manages  day-to-day global cyberspace operations and leads
defense and protection of DODIN. Each of the military
services provides support to USCYBERCOM.

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

profiles profiles most