Cyber Maneuver and Schemes of Maneuver
By Dr. Patrick D. Allen
| November 18, 2020
This article is intended to stimulate discussion among cyber warriors and others about an approach to cyber maneuvers at the operational level. Cyberspace is one domain in what is commonly called “Multi-Domain Operations,” while movement and maneuver is one of the warfighting functions in U.S. Army doctrine. This sets the context for a proposed approach to a concept for offensive and defensive cyber maneuver operations that starts with a goal or mission, and allows preparation of the commander’s intent via a scheme of maneuver. The scheme of maneuver includes a sequence of categories of maneuver, which in turn are accomplished by specific cyber (or non-cyber) maneuver actions or fires, thereby connecting the mission to the scheme and categories of maneuver, and then to specific actions and fires. Effectiveness of specific cyber actions and fires will change over time, but the categories of maneuver and their intent are much more enduring. Commanders using this approach do not need to be “techies” to define a cyber scheme of maneuver. So long as the commander has, or has been provided, sufficient understanding of operational-level tradeoffs and effects of offensive and defensive cyber maneuvers, the staff can provide the technical details.
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