Differentiate between information operations and influence activities as they apply to combat units.

• A. Both are identical and interchangeable.
• B. Information operations focus only on political messaging.
• C. Information operations include cyber, EW, and deception to shape the battlespace; influence activities specifically target perceptions and behaviors of populations or adversaries.
• D. Influence activities involve direct cyber intrusion.

Answer: (C)

Information operations are the broad set of capabilities used to shape the battlespace by influencing, disrupting, corrupting, or deceiving adversaries while protecting our own forces. They cover multiple domains, including cyber operations, electronic warfare, and deception, all aimed at affecting decision-making and the physical and information environments in which combat teams operate.

Influence activities are the human-focused part of that broader set. They target the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of populations or adversaries to achieve desired outcomes, typically through messaging, narratives, persuasion, and other strategic communication techniques. In practice, information operations might involve cyber intrusions, EW, and deception to alter the enemy’s actions or optimize the battlespace. Influence activities focus on shaping how people think and act—such as swaying local populations to support operations or affecting an adversary commander’s willingness to fight—without necessarily relying on direct technical disruption.

The other options aren’t accurate because information operations are not identical to political messaging and they do not consist solely of messaging; information operations include technical and deceptive means that extend beyond influence alone. And influence activities aren’t defined by direct cyber intrusion; cyber actions can be part of information operations, but influencing perceptions and behaviors is the core focus of influence activities.