Cyber Influence Operations: An Overview and Comparative Analysis

Author(s): Sean Cordey
Editor(s): Tim Prior, Myriam Dunn Cavelty, Andreas Wenger
Series: CSS Cyberdefense Trend Analysis
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2019
Publication Place: Zurich

Influence operations are nothing new, but the dawn of the information age has seen such activities migrate towards cyberspace. In this publication, Sean Cordey addresses this development by looking at the concept and use of cyber influence operations (CIO), including a comparative analysis of American and Russian CIOs. His findings include 1) that discussion and definition around CIO still lacks coherence and overlaps with other concepts; 2) cyberspace has opened up the potential use of influence operations to everyone; and 3) that a state’s CIO toolbox is dependent on context and objectives.

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