The Special Operation

<p>Throughout history combatants have shown an increasing dependency on technology to network for improved decision-making and extension of their perceptual range. Given this trend hostile nations of the future will employ informational power in an attempt to counter-balance overwhelming U.S. and allied combat power. In doing so they will also deny access to their information systems while simultaneously attempting to access those of their enemies. Traditional Electronic Warfare and Network Warfare have enjoyed some success in targeting network infrastructure. This thesis addresses the emerging need to target both the infrastructure and human elements of networks through cyberspace and special operations forces (SOF) acting in concert. Historical examples abound that show how coherent SOF-cyberspace efforts can significantly contribute to the moral and material attrition of the enemy. Once inside the enemy networks cyber power can be brought to bear to enhance the natural fog and friction of war to slow down the enemy decision cycle which they are conversely trying to speed up with network use. While not a war-winning capability the intent of the SOF-Cyberspace mission is to increase the effectiveness of military force as well as the other instruments of national power. Toward this end heuristics are developed that provide guidance for the formation and employment of a special unit of technicians to augment SOF forces in future actions against enemy information systems.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>