Risky Bulletin Between Two Nerds: NSA's thinking on information warfare
Jun 2, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of information warfare with insights drawn from a 1997 NSA document. Discover the challenges the NSA faces as it grapples with institutional inertia and the need to adapt to new military paradigms. Explore how various transnational groups, from extremists to fandoms, share operational traits, and uncover the indoctrination within intelligence agencies. The discussion also highlights unconventional warfare tactics and the creative strategies nations like Russia and China use, stressing the urgency for a strong American presence in cyberspace.
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NSA's Foresight in 1997
- NSA's 1997 internal journal foresaw information warfare as a critical, evolving domain shaped by military needs.
- Despite optimism, foundational cyberwarfare concepts have barely advanced over 30 years.
Bureaucratic Inertia Limits Change
- Bureaucratic inertia often blocks transformative change despite clear vision and necessity.
- NSA's cyber doctrine recognizes opportunities but struggles to evolve due to institutional resistance.
Enduring Cyber Offensive Doctrine
- Core cyber offensive doctrines from 1997 like degrade, disrupt, deny have endured to today.
- NSA integrates exploitation, protection, and attack teams, reflecting a combined cyber warfare approach.
