Military operations in cyberspace are no longer secret. Over time, countries have established cyber forces in recognition of cyberspace’s growing importance for geopolitical competition. However, not all cyber forces are the same; they can differ greatly in development and in cyber force structure.

In his chapter in the De Gruyter Handbook on Cyber Conflict and Warfare, Dr. Blessing provides an introduction into definitional and data-related concerns in research on cyber forces and how scholars have assessed force development and force structure. The chapter also overviews the primary drivers of cyber force development and decisions on cyber force structure before outlining strategic implications. The chapter concludes by charting avenues for future research. As cyber forces play an increasingly important role in strateg and policy development, the themes surveyed in this chapter are an important starting point for work by scholars and practitioners in the future.

Read the chapter here.

Dr. Jason Blessing is a Research Fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. His research expertise focuses on cybersecurity, defense, and international relations.