Cyber Primer

Integrating cyber operations
Cyber command and control
4.6. Cyber underpins so many aspects of Defence business that cyber
command and control for Defence is complex. UK cyber doctrine describes
Defence’s cyber command and control. The span of military, multi-agency
and multinational partners conducting cyber activities means simple
supported/supporting relationships are inappropriate. Instead, the
commander and specialist staff must understand and manage multiple
relationships, each of which is governed by particular freedoms and
constraints. Government and industry must adopt a cautious but trusted
partnered approach to cyber activity, orchestrated across strategic to tactical
levels of command. This also applies to allies and coalition partners.
4.7. By mainstreaming cyber, Defence is developing command and control
and force structures to deliver and sustain cyber capabilities as part of its
future force. The evolving Defence structure emphasises the complexity of
conducting operations in cyberspace and our need to ensure actions are
coordinated while retaining the flexibility and agility to manage the threats,
and opportunities, arising from cyber.
4.8. An adversary may conduct cyber attacks against all the elements of
national power. 49 An agile and resilient command and control approach
will better survive and respond to the demands of such hostile activities.
Command and control structures must also support cross-government and
industry burden sharing. Further details of this will evolve as the UK Cyber
Security Information Sharing Partnership (CISP) develops. The Defence
Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP) will raise awareness and improve
understanding of the cyber security risks. These partnerships highlight the
need for protective measures to increase the security of the wider Defence
supply chain and define an approach to implement cyber security standards.
4.9. The UK Cyber Security Strategy 50 sets out our intention to secure the
advantage in cyberspace by exploiting opportunities to gather intelligence
and intervening as necessary against adversaries. Commanders should
49 The three instruments of national power are diplomatic, economic and military,
which are underpinned by information. An example of this can found at Annex 4A on
pages 80-81.
50 The UK Cyber Security Strategy: Protecting and promoting the UK in a digital world. Due to
be updated in 2016.
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