Training the Information Operations Workforce AOC Australian Chapter 2014 Conference Mr Jeff Malone Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Australia)
Jun 09, 2015
Training the Information Operations Workforce
AOC Australian Chapter 2014 Conference
Mr Jeff Malone
Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Australia)
Scope
• Workforce Context: An Overview of IO
• IO Workforce Taxonomy
• Continuums in the IO Workforce
Workforce Context: An Overview of Information Operations
The Emergence and Evolution of IO
• C3CM concept originates in the 1970s, based on exploiting identified vulnerabilities in Soviet C3I systems
• Successfully employed in Operation DESERT STORM, in concert with PSYOPS
• Rebadged as C2W/IW in early 1990s
• IO emerges in mid 1990s, based on perceived limitations of C2W/IW
• IO remains core (US joint) term of reference
Trends in the Evolution of Information Operations
• From warfighting only to applicability across the spectrum of operations
• Expansion from C3I target set to human decision making more generally (including the systems which enable and support decision making)
• Expansion in the range of information-based capabilities to be integrated and deconflicted
IO: US Joint Doctrinal Definition
• “The integrated employment, during military operations, of information-related capabilities in concert with other lines of operation to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries and potential adversaries while protecting our own.”
Source: Joint Publication 3-13, Information Operations, 27 November 2012
Information-Related Capability (IRC)
• “A tool, technique, or activity employed within a dimension of the information environment that can be used to create effects and operationally desirable conditions.”
Source: Joint Publication 3-13, Information Operations, 27 November 2012
Examples of IRCs
• Electronic Warfare (Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations)
• Cyberspace Operations
• Operations Security
• Military Deception
• Psychological Operations
• Kinetic Targeting
• (and many others)
Source: Joint Publication 3-13, Information Operations, 27 November 2012
The Information Environment
Source: Joint Publication 3-13, Information Operations, 27 November 2012
Enabling and Supporting Activities
• Enable/support IO in general and/or specific IRCs
• Include (indicatively):
– Intelligence
– Information/Knowledge Management
– Spectrum Management
– CIS Operations/NETOPS
– Information Assurance
Source: Derived from Joint Publication 3-13, Information Operations, 27 November 2012
Information Operations Workforce Taxonomy
Elements of the IO Workforce
• Common Elements
• Generalist
• IRC Specialist
• Enabling Activity Specialist
• IO Specialist
• Non-Military
Common Elements
• Might be characterised as ‘lowest common denominator’ level of knowledge
• Knowledge level of IO/IRCs in the context of the information environment being a facet of the overall military operational environment
Generalists
• Might be characterised as ‘traditional warfighters’
– Strong roots in their ‘alma mater’ operational environment
– Career path of senior Service and Joint commanders
• Knowledge of IO/IRCs in the context of how they contribute to overall operational design and success
IRC Specialists
• Career centred on mastery of specific IRC
– Might (or might not) also have a Generalist background as well
• Deep technical knowledge of specific IRC; working knowledge of how their IRC integrates into IO
Enabling Activity Specialist
• Career centred on mastery of specific enabling activity
– Might (or might not) also have a Generalist and/or IRC background as well
• Deep technical knowledge of specific enabling; working knowledge of how their specialty supports or integrates with IRCs or IO as a whole
IO Specialist
• Holds an IO-specific appointment
– Career path could originate from a variety of sources
• Deep (?) technical/procedural knowledge of integration of IO into overall operations
• Some level of knowledge of IRCs/enabling activities, especially in regards points of synergy and conflict
Non-Military
• Individuals from outside the military with a background in disciplines that intersect with IO or specific IRCs/enabling activities
– Civilian Government; Private Sector; Academia; Civil Society/Non-Government/International Organisation
• Deep technical knowledge in their own discipline
• Likely no knowledge of military concepts or processes
• Might be deeply suspicious or hostile to military in general and/or to IO/IRCs specifically
Continuums in the IO Workforce
Career Continuum Generic Model
Senior Commander (O6+)
Manager/Commander (O4-05)
Supervisor (E5-E9/O1-O3)
Operator (E1-E4)
Common Elements
• Individual Training
– Limited training at the pre-Operator/entry level
– Refresher/currency training as required
• Collective Training
– Limited incorporation into collective training (for this workforce element)
• Non-Training Solutions
– High reliance on non-training solutions (policies, governance frameworks) to achieve compliance
Generalists
• Individual Training
– Incorporate familiarity-level training into career courses through continuum; specific IO training for identified individuals
• Collective Training
– Incorporate IO-related issues/serials into collective training to extend familiarity
• Non-Training Solutions
– Incorporate IO into doctrine, processes and support tools as guidance/aide memoire
IRC Specialists• Individual Training
– Incorporate familiarity-level training into career courses through continuum; specific IO training for identified individuals
• Collective Training
– Incorporate IO-related issues/serials into collective training to extend familiarity
– Focus: how their IRC relates to others and to IO in toto
• Non-Training Solutions
– Incorporate IO into doctrine, processes and support tools as guidance/aide memoire
Enabling Activity Specialists• Individual Training
– Incorporate familiarity-level training into career courses through continuum; specific IO training for identified individuals
• Collective Training
– Incorporate IO-related issues/serials into collective training to extend familiarity
– Focus: how their Enabling Activity relates to IRCs and to IO in toto
• Non-Training Solutions
– Incorporate IO into doctrine, processes and support tools as guidance/aide memoire
IO Specialists• Individual Training
– Specific IO training should be integrated into the training continuum after generalist/IRC/Enabling Activity training and development to Supervisor/Manager level
– Implication: pathways for developing IO professional originate in generalist, specialist IRC and (to some extent) Enabling Activity career continuums
• Collective Training
– Incorporate IO-related issues/serials into collective training to extend familiarity
– Focus: demonstrating worth to others
• Non-Training Solutions
– Incorporate IO into doctrine, processes and support tools as guidance/aide memoire
Non-Military• Individual Training
– Incorporate familiarity-level training at appropriate lateral levels for specific IRCs/Enabling Activities
– Might be as much about working with the military
• Collective Training
– Incorporate IO-related issues/serials into collective training to extend familiarity
– Focus: demonstrate the intersection between their profession and IRCs/Enabling Activities/IO in toto
• Non-Training Solutions
– Incorporate IO into doctrine, processes and support tools as guidance/aide memoire
– Might need to focus on translating military jargon
Conclusion