1、CRS InsightsInformation Warfare: Cyberattacks on SonyCatherine A. Theohary, Specialist in National Security Policy and Information Operations(ctheoharycrs.loc.gov, 7-0844)January 30, 2015 (IN10218)The Department of Defense defines Information Operations (IO) as the integrated employment, duringmilit
2、ary operations, of information-related capabilities to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp thedecision making of adversaries while protecting our own. Closely related to this is the broader conceptof Information Warfare (IW), which can include government as well as the private sector and isconduct
3、ed not only in crisis, conflict, and warfare but also in peacetime, to serve national security andstrategic objectives. These activities are conducted in the overall information environment, and caninclude cyberattacks as well as activities intended to influence a target through the use of informati
4、oncontent. Given this, the recent cyberattacks on Sony Pictures Entertainment could be considered anexample of an information warfare campaign.BackgroundIn the run-up to the scheduled Christmas Day release of The Interview, a film depicting theassassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North