Methodology to Map Information Environment
Mapping the Information Environment By Robert Cordray III
Marc J. Romanych, Major, USA (Retired) Editorial Abstract: A follow-on discussion from last issue’s article, “A Theory Based View of IO,” authors Robert Cordray and Marc Romanych present a methodology to “map” the information environment, much like a commander’s J2 maps the physical characteristics of the area of operations. Giving clarity to the information environment, in turn, allows the commander to gain an understanding of its impact and importance, ultimately leading to a more effective information operation.
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f information operations (IO) are to be fully integrated and is needed to organize our view of the environment. For this executed by the Joint Force, then the commander and staff’s purpose, a model – the three domains of conflict – developed visualization of the area of operations must be expanded to by the Department of Defense Command and Control Research include the information environment. However, graphic Program (DoD CCRP) is particularly appropriate.3 The CCRP representation of the information environment remains a model describes three distinct, but closely interconnected challenge for IO staffs. The problem confronting the staff is domains – physical, information, and cognitive – that, in how to analyze and succinctly describe the character and effects sum, explain the importance of information to military of an operating environment that is largely non-physical and operations and, for the purposes of analysis, the character of abstract. the information environment. The three domains can be very This article presents a methodology that, as part of Joint briefly described as follows (see Figure 1).4 Intelligence Preparation of the The physical domain is the Battlespace (JIPB), can be used to “For the practitioner of IO, the most real world environments of land, “map” the information environment intangible element of the information sea, air, and space. It is where in a manner
Marc J. Romanych, Major, USA (Retired) Editorial Abstract: A follow-on discussion from last issue’s article, “A Theory Based View of IO,” authors Robert Cordray and Marc Romanych present a methodology to “map” the information environment, much like a commander’s J2 maps the physical characteristics of the area of operations. Giving clarity to the information environment, in turn, allows the commander to gain an understanding of its impact and importance, ultimately leading to a more effective information operation.
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f information operations (IO) are to be fully integrated and is needed to organize our view of the environment. For this executed by the Joint Force, then the commander and staff’s purpose, a model – the three domains of conflict – developed visualization of the area of operations must be expanded to by the Department of Defense Command and Control Research include the information environment. However, graphic Program (DoD CCRP) is particularly appropriate.3 The CCRP representation of the information environment remains a model describes three distinct, but closely interconnected challenge for IO staffs. The problem confronting the staff is domains – physical, information, and cognitive – that, in how to analyze and succinctly describe the character and effects sum, explain the importance of information to military of an operating environment that is largely non-physical and operations and, for the purposes of analysis, the character of abstract. the information environment. The three domains can be very This article presents a methodology that, as part of Joint briefly described as follows (see Figure 1).4 Intelligence Preparation of the The physical domain is the Battlespace (JIPB), can be used to “For the practitioner of IO, the most real world environments of land, “map” the information environment intangible element of the information sea, air, and space. It is where in a manner