Cyberspace

In December 2005, the USAF adjusted its mission statement, identifying cyberspace as a war fighting domain equal to air and space. The initial efforts to deliver a coherent war fighting capability with the objective of obtaining cyberspace superiority are well underway. Programming plans have been formulated, organization structures vetted, personnel manning identified, and vision statements and operational constructs have been published. But it appears this endeavor is premised on today's operational environment and near-term desired effects, neglecting the strategic implications and constraints of operating within a globalized context. So the question must be asked, is the USAF cyberspace mission at risk in the out years 2025-2050? This paper seeks to address the question of mission risk by examining current cyberspace posture against considerations resulting from future globalization: specifically in the areas of extended economic centers of gravity, complexity of international laws and alliances, and the changing nature of warfare. Indeed, it can be argued that the USAF's initializing cyberspace framework is inadequate to meet the challenges of future globalization, and thus places the cyberspace superiority mission in the out years 2025-2050 at risk. As a remedy, this paper also presents three broad areas of recommendation to mitigate this mission risk: pursuing a more holistic and unified cyberspace institution; engaging and leading federal-level cyberspace initiatives in research and development and codifying legal precedence; and integrating unrestricted cyberspace operations into traditional Air Force and Joint-level exercises and activities.