Joint Targeting in Cyberspace

Abstract : Security in cyberspace is a clear national priority, but the role of the US military in this new domain is not so clear. With the activation of US Cyber Command in 2010, debate concerning the militarization of cyberspace and the conduct of cyber warfare has taken center stage among US government policy makers. Complicating matters is the uncertain practice of governing behavior in cyberspace by applying domestic legal and policy guidelines as well as international treaties based on kinetic warfare. Despite this uncertainty, Department of Defense (DOD) policy requires that DOD components comply with the law of war during all armed conflicts, however such conflicts are characterized, and in all other military operations. Although it remains to be seen what roles and responsibilities policy makers in Washington, DC, will carve out for the military, the DOD should prepare to conduct military operations in the cyber domain. To do so effectively, the department should apply, with slight modification, time-tested joint targeting principles to military operations in cyberspace. This article explores the efficacy of Joint Publication (JP) 3-60, Joint Targeting, as applied to military operations in cyberspace and proposes recommendations for joint targeting doctrine for cyberspace.