The rapid development of the discussion about Information Warfare
has made the definition unclear.
The broadest definition simply equates Information Warfare with conflict
in the information age, which makes the term too broad to have any
use.
Another, more useful, definition outlines IW as a strategy for controlling
one's opponent's perceptions using tools including armed force, diplomacy
and propaganda as well as computer attacks.
Still narrower is the definition of IW as efforts to disrupt or exploit
digital information infrastructures. Many states focus on this last
definition and on digital information infrastructure defense. In this
context, IW is often framed as a terrorism issue.
--Rathmell, Andrew. "Information Warfare and
Sub-state Actors: An Organisational Approach." Cybercrime:
Law enforcement, security and surveillance in the information age. Ed.
Douglas Thomas and Brian D. Loader. London: Routledge, 2000. 221-233.
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