Sections

Introduction [00:00 – 02:57]

Overview of Information Operations [02:57 – 09:48]

Cyberspace Operations [09:48 – 20:46]

Cognitive Operations [20:46 – 34:00]

Electronic Warfare [34:00 – 46:49]

Defence of National Cyberspace [46:49 – 55:15]

Way Forward for India [55:15 – 01:05:53]

In this episode of Def Talks on YouTube, Aadi Achint talks to Lt Gen (Dr) R S Panwar on how Information Operations (IO) may be used as a potent means by a nation for conducting Grey Zone Warfare (GZW) against its adversaries. The conversation highlights that for a nation to conduct GZW, it needs to leverage its Comprehensive National Power (CNP), which is quite well and concisely represented by the Diplomatic-Information-Military-Economic (DIME) paradigm. It discusses certain conceptual underpinnings and definitional nuances of IO, and how these relate to the Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and the DIME paradigms. It then touches upon several key facets which need to be addressed for operationalizing the three primary components of IO, namely, electronic warfare (EW), cyber and psychological/ cognitive operations. It also briefly discusses the concepts of Cyber Electro-Magnetic Activities (CEMA) and Cyber Influence Operations (CIO). The conversation concludes by dwelling upon the critical issue of defence of our national cyberspace, and indicating a way forward for our Indian Armed Forces for effectively countering the attacks in infospace which are constantly being launched against India by its adversaries.