Special Operation

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.