jp3_12r

Chapter I
integrate CO within joint operations. In the past, CO have been considered a subset of IO
and those operations incorporated in the terms of computer network operations, computer
network attack, computer network defense, and CNE. Refer to Director of Central
Intelligence Directive 7/3, Information Operations and Intelligence Community Related
Activities, for more information on CNE. The terminology used for the training, planning,
and execution of military CO includes: offensive cyberspace operations (OCO), DCO, and
DODIN operations. OCO and DCO are covered in detail in Chapter II, “Cyberspace
Operations.”
3. Integrating Cyberspace Operations
a. CO are conducted across the range of military operations. While it is possible that
some military objectives can be achieved by CO alone, CO capabilities should be considered
during joint operation planning, integrated into the JFC’s plan, and synchronized with other
operations during execution. Commanders conduct CO to retain freedom of maneuver in
cyberspace, accomplish the JFC’s objectives, deny freedom of action to adversaries, and
enable other operational activities.
b. The importance of CO support to all military operations is growing in tandem with
the joint force’s increasing reliance on cyberspace, especially for C2, but also for critical
logistics functions that often rely on non-DOD networks. However, conflicts that may need
to be addressed to fully integrate CO into joint operation planning and execution include:
centralized CO planning for DODIN operations and defense; the JFC’s need to synchronize
operations and fires, including CO; deconfliction requirements between government entities;
partner nation relationships; and the relationships between CO and IO, between CO and
operations conducted in the physical domains, and the wide variety of legal issues that relate
to CO.
4. The Joint Force and Cyberspace
a. The JFC faces a unique set of challenges while executing CO in a complex global
security environment. CO are enabled by the DODIN. The DODIN is a global
infrastructure of DOD systems carrying DOD, national security, and related intelligence
community (IC) information and intelligence.
(1) Threats. Cyberspace presents the JFC with many threats ranging from nation
states to individual actors.
(a) Nation State Threat. This threat is potentially the most dangerous
because of access to resources, personnel, and time that may not be available to other actors.
Other nations may employ cyberspace to either attack or conduct espionage against the US.
Nation state threats involve traditional adversaries and sometimes, in the case of espionage,
even traditional allies. Nation states may conduct operations directly or may outsource them
to third parties to achieve their goals.
A cyberspace capability is a device, computer program, or technique,
including any combination of software, firmware, or hardware, designed to
create an effect in or through cyberspace.
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