19 INFORMATION WARFARE “Information Warfare, in its most fundamental sense, is the emerging ‘theatre’ in which future nation-againstnation conflict at the strategic level is most likely to occur”. – George J. Stein, Cyber War, 2000. 2.14 IW can be defined as actions taken to achieve ‘information superiority by adversely affecting the adversary’s information, information-based processes, information systems, and computer-based networks whilst simultaneously protecting one's own information, information-based processes, information systems and computer-based networks’. Correct and timely information made available to commanders at all levels contributes directly to effective Command and Control (C2) and helps in shortening the Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) Cycle (also known as the OODA Loop). IW has a vital impact upon the first three activities of the OODA Loop by disrupting the enemy's observation and surveillance systems, corrupting his orientation and misguiding his perception and thereby inducing him to arrive at wrong decisions. 2.15 Objectives of IW. The basic ingredients of IW are collection of data, sifting (to extract relevant information), analysis and assimilation of information to create intelligence which will help to achieve the objectives of IW. These objectives are:Develop and maintain a comprehensive information base of the capabilities of adversaries and forecast their likely actions. • Deny information about own and friendly forces to adversaries. • Influence perceptions, plans, actions and the will of adversaries to oppose own and friendly forces by offensive employment of IW techniques. •