Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-12, Cyberspace Operations
2
UNDERSTANDING CYBERSPACE
Cyberspace is unlike the naturally-bounded domains of air, land, maritime, and space. To
persist, cyberspace requires continued attention from humans. Cyberspace is a man-
made domain, wholly contained within the IE, and encompasses the features of specific-
ity, global scope, and an emphasis on the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). Cyberspace
segments are connected and supported by physical infrastructure, electronic systems,
and portions of the EMS. Physical cyberspace nodes reside in every domain. Generally,
cyberspace networks are interdependent. However, parts of these networks are isolated
via protocols, firewalls, encryption, and physical separation from other networks.
Activities in cyberspace can enable freedom of action for activities in the other domains,
and activities in the other domains can create effects in and through cyberspace. As new
systems and capabilities are developed, they may use increasing portions of the EMS,
have higher data processing capacity, and speed, and leverage greater bandwidth. Sys-
tems may also be designed to change frequencies (the places where they operate within
the EMS) as they manipulate data. Thus, physical maneuver space exists in cyberspace.
1
Cyberspace-enabled capabilities are essential elements of military operations—critical
enablers of all-domain synergistic effects.
CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS, THE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT, AND
INFORMATION WARFARE
For the USAF, cyberspace operations are considered one of six principle information war-
fare (IW) capabilities presented to the joint force to conduct and support operations in the
information environment (OIE)
2
. Because cyberspace is defined as wholly contained
within the IE, cyberspace operations are often conflated with OIE. Rather, OIE combines
cyberspace operations and other information activities and capabilities to create effects
in support of joint operations throughout the operating environment. Cyberspace opera-
tions can be conducted independently or synchronized, integrated, and deconflicted with
other information capabilities and activities for more effective OIE.
3
1
For additional information on the “Physical, Syntactic, and Semantic layers of Cyberspace” see Con-
quest in Cyberspace,” Libicki, Martin C., RAND Corporation, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
2
Per JP 3-04, Information in Joint Operations, OIE are military actions involving the integrated employ-
ment of multiple information forces to affect drivers of behavior.
3
JP 3-12. Joint Cyberspace Operations.
Cyber-enabled OIE Against ISIS
Integrating cyberspace operations with the employment of other information capa-
bilities enables scalable effects against targets commanders may otherwise lack
options for. Joint Task Force Ares achieved this against the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria (ISIS) during Operation GLOWING SYMPHONY by integrating multiple
disciplines to create confusion and distrust within ISIS and working closely with
mission partners to dismantle its web-based operations.
