Date of Award

3-16-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Alan R. Heminger, PhD

Abstract

Within the Joint Force Network Operations (NETOPS) environment, war fighters will treat net-centric adversaries and global information grid defense-in-depth situations as complex, adaptive enclaves that are the product of the dynamic interactions between connected entities and processes. Because of net centricity, no entity or process of the enclave can be considered in isolation; no singular engagement methodology will accurately capture the enclave’s complexity, and an alignment of Department of Defense Combatant Commanders, Services, and Agencies (CC/S/A) strategic planning is pivotal. To achieve and maintain information dominance, Joint Network Operations (NETOPS) organizations need to be strategically aligned. Strategic alignment allows organizations tasked with conducting NETOPS to meet the needs of the NETOPS Combatant Commander, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and as a result, to enhance the capabilities-based effects of NETOPS and reduce our NETOPS infrastructure’s susceptibility to compromise. The goal of this research effort was to answer the question “Are the strategic plans of the organizations tasked with conducting NETOPS aligned?” Once the key organizations were identified, their strategic plans were analyzed using a structured content analysis framework. The results illustrated that the organizations strategic plans were aligned with the community of interests tasking to conduct NETOPS. Further research is required into the strategic alignment beyond the strategic (national/theater) and operational levels to determine if the developed NETOPS strategic alignment construct is applicable to all levels of war.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GIR-ENV-07-M18

DTIC Accession Number

ADA467507

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