The principle of maneuver in cyber operations

The United States Military describes the concept of maneuver as the disposition of forces to conduct operations by securing positional advantages before and or during combat operations. This paper will briefly explore how the concept of maneuver in kinetic operations has evolved over time and how that concept relates to cyber operations and cyber warfare. It will attempt to define what constitutes the principle of maneuver within cyberspace as it relates to the traditional concept of maneuver in warfare and how the unique domain of cyberspace alters this concept. This paper will explore the characteristics of maneuver in cyberspace and the basic offensive and defensive forms of maneuver that have thus far emerged will be identified and analysed. The author will also briefly touch on the issue of sovereignty in cyberspace as it relates to cyber maneuver and attempt to identify how and when the concept of cyber maneuver might cross the line to violate a state's sovereignty. This paper will demonstrate that there is a valid concept of maneuver in cyberspace, and that the stealth and anonymity provided by the Internet allows for blatant acts which, in a kinetic operation, would most like result in open armed conflict.