Information warfare targeting: people and processes

• Main Author: Wang, Ken NMN
• Other Authors: Boger, Dan C.
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/6120

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited === Information Warfare targeting has long been a crucial, but unrecognized, part of military operations. From Sun Tzu's targeting of the enemy's will to fight, to today's information-centric warfare, it is those who have understood the techniques and applications of Information Warfare targeting who have most often prevailed. As critical as it is to our success, it is a topic that is controversial, often misunderstood, and subject to various interpretations. This thesis examines the IW targeting process, consisting of people, information, systems, and the interaction between the function of targeting and IW. In the Information Age, IW has been recognized as viable warfare area. However, IW Targeting cannot be treated as traditional targeting utilized by other warfare areas. This thesis is intended to serve as a guide for the study of this topic and provides an instructional program designed to satisfy the requirement for a coherent instructional program on IW Targeting. IW targeting affects every facet of warfare and in turn is affected by these facets. In preparing for a future that calls for maximizing the effects while minimizing the effort, it is critical that we understand the process in order to remain effective.