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Abstract. This paper reviews the large and varied body of literature
published on the subject of Information Operations (IO) in an
attempt to arrive at an understanding of the concept on
a theoretical level. Understanding IO requires one to make a
fundamental shift in ones understanding of the critical role of
information in all its forms in modern societies, and therefore
of the potential of information as a powerful tool, or
weapon, which can be used to influence others. In an
offensive sense, the overall goal is the attainment of information
dominance so as to be able to impose ones will
upon others. The implications of IO for military forces are
also discussed. Although IO is not dependent on IT, IT-dependence
is a fact of modern armed forces. The application of
IT to military operations combined with the speed of transmission
and volume of information available on future battlefields can be
expected to blur traditional boundaries of time, space and levels
of war, requiring armed forces to modify structures and procedures
in order to effectively execute IO. (The incorporation of IO
theory into military doctrine and practice will be examined in
a subsequent paper.)
Related topics:
information operations, doctrine, asymmetric warfare, terrorism, command systems
View first page of "Brosnan: Information Operations: What is IO?"
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