Missions and Actions Specific to Cyberspace Operations

Abstract

Currently, the digitization of society has become a major phenomenon worldwide, making its mark in everyday life of people and the activities of most organizations. Significant contributions to the emergence of this phenomenon consisted of the continued availability of services offered by the global Internet network, the diversity, the number and the usefulness of digital devices and digital competence development of people. Thus, cyberspace has become a good opportunity for malicious people. Today, cyber-attacks are very complex and sophisticated, supported and used, by state actors in their own economic, political, military or informational interest. Military organizations are targeted by cybercriminals to get as much information as possible, and the more valuable is the information, the more the attacker’s interest is increased. Investments in such actions are supported by state actors themselves. These actions are lasting, well organized and with an increased effort of human, financial and informational resources. In this context, cyberspace is identified as a domain of operations, recognized by NATO since 2016. With this accreditation, the world’s states, whether or not they are members of the alliance, have changed their approach to cyber security, by getting involved both in the content of strategies, doctrines, procedures or other regulations, and in the establishment and development of specialized structures, having qualified personnel, technique and proper equipment meant to meet the current safety standards. Missions and actions specific to cyberspace operations involve special attention from government institutions accredited in the fields of country defence and national security. When taking into account elements related to cyber defence in the strategic planning process, an effective inter-institutional cooperation must be developed.