The emergence of the cyber domain is changing the environment of both defence and offence, creating new paradigms for strategic success and signalling a need for new management and organisational features that are crucial for effective operation in the cyber environment. The cyber domain brings unprecedented speed and scope, from even the most primitive forms of cyber offence. As a result, classical military structures are losing their leverage in the cyber domain, being too slow and rigid to operate effectively in such a dynamic environment. For military structures to prepare and be ‘fit’ for the cyber domain, they must re-arrange the way their organisations work in terms of management, hierarchy, leadership and decision-making. This paper argues that current military command and control (C2) is in need of a more flexible and staff-empowered approach, which would result in better and timely decisions. It suggests three methods to modify current C2 structures: by flattening the organisation, decentralising, and introducing more automation. Each will have considerable risk. The ultimate recommendation is not an easy one – military structures should individually navigate between the old management system (hierarchy) and a new system that strengthens the organisation’s capabilities, flexibility, purpose and scope.
This paper authored by CCDCOE Strategy Branch Intern Morta Strazdaite and CCDCOE Strategy Branch Chief Cdr Michael Widmann specifically addresses changes to structure, process and technology needed to successfully operate in the cyber domain. A change in culture needs to be embraced. Leaders must be flexible in their approach to operating in the domain. They must be willing to accept the risk of delegating decision-making authority while retaining the responsibility for consequences. Leaders must demand new technologies that will be capable of delivering rapid effects integrated into commands.
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