This article proposes that “the strategy of conflict,” or game theory, can enhance joint planning processes applied to cybersecurity operations. Game theory could perhaps prove most useful during operational design for understanding actors, tendencies, and potentials actions inherent in cooperation, competition, and conflict situations. A canonical anti-coordination game, Hawk-Dove, is employed to explore equilibrium evolutionary game strategies and deterrence outcomes applicable to cyberspace operations. Tractable extensions to the Hawk-Dove game are introduced to understand mechanisms for signaling, reputation, norms, and ambiguity in deterrence. Game parameters are transferred to a model of Surprise-Attack for comparison. Advantages and disadvantages for incorporating games in the joint planning process are considered.
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