AN INFORMATION WARFARE THEORY OF VICTORY
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Authors
Gomez, Don H.
Subjects
information warfare
information operations
operations in the information environment
psychological warfare
psychological operations
PSYOP
theory of victory
assessment
measures of performance
measures of effectiveness
effectiveness
information operations
operations in the information environment
psychological warfare
psychological operations
PSYOP
theory of victory
assessment
measures of performance
measures of effectiveness
effectiveness
Advisors
Houck, Shannon C.
Date of Issue
2023-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This thesis explores the challenge of assessment in information warfare and its relationship to perceptions of "winning" in the information environment. It argues that misaligned incentives and organizational biases lead to inadequate assessments that fail to meet the knowledge demands of stakeholders. An information warfare theory of victory is introduced that argues the concepts of Vision, Truth, Perception, and Volume should be leveraged to achieve the desired information goals. An information wargame and associated simulation was developed to test the theory, which indicated that volume plays a key role in determining subjective perceptions of victory. The thesis makes three key recommendations: 1) leaders with responsibility for information activities should incentivize volume, 2) alternative methods of demonstrating success should be employed and experimented with, and 3) the friendly-force effects of information activities should be included in comprehensive information assessments. This thesis recognizes the inherent challenges in implementing the recommendations and calls for bureaucratic bravery to overcome them.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.