Cyber Operations Planner

Cyber Operations Planner Work Role ID: 332 (NIST: CO-PL-002) Workforce Element: Cyberspace Effects

Develops detailed plans for the conduct or support of the applicable range of cyber operations through collaboration with other planners, operators and/or analysts. Participates in targeting selection, validation, synchronization, and enables integration during the execution of cyber actions.


Items denoted by a * are CORE KSATs for every Work Role, while other CORE KSATs vary by Work Role.

Core KSATs

KSAT ID Description KSAT
22

* Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies.

Knowledge
52

Knowledge of human-computer interaction principles.

Knowledge
108

* Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk).

Knowledge
264

Knowledge of basic physical computer components and architectures, including the functions of various components and peripherals (e.g., CPUs, Network Interface Cards, data storage).

Knowledge
1056

Knowledge of operations security.

Knowledge
1157

* Knowledge of national and international laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity.

Knowledge
1158

* Knowledge of cybersecurity principles.

Knowledge
1159

* Knowledge of cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

Knowledge
2009

Provide input to the analysis, design, development or acquisition of capabilities used for meeting objectives.

Task
2032

Apply expertise in policy and processes to facilitate the development, negotiation, and internal staffing of plans and/or memorandums of agreement.

Task
2052

Assess target vulnerabilities and/or operational capabilities to determine course of action.

Task
2073

Provide input to the identification of cyber-related success criteria.

Task
2130

Develop, review and implement all levels of planning guidance in support of cyber operations.

Task
2159

Contribute to crisis action planning for cyber operations.

Task
2180

Coordinate with intelligence and cyber defense partners to obtain relevant essential information.

Task
2192

Use intelligence estimates to counter potential target actions.

Task
2265

Develop and maintain deliberate and/or crisis plans.

Task
2266

Develop and review specific cyber operations guidance for integration into broader planning activities.

Task
2272

Develop cyber operations plans and guidance to ensure that execution and resource allocation decisions align with organization objectives.

Task
2308

Develop or participate in the development of standards for providing, requesting, and/or obtaining support from external partners to synchronize cyber operations.

Task
2310

Develop potential courses of action.

Task
2327

Develop, implement, and recommend changes to appropriate planning procedures and policies.

Task
2331

Devise, document, and validate cyber operation strategy, and planning documents.

Task
2365

Ensure operational planning efforts are effectively transitioned to current operations.

Task
2416

Facilitate interactions between internal and external partner decision makers to synchronize and integrate courses of action in support of objectives.

Task
2422

Gather and analyze data (e.g., measures of effectiveness) to determine effectiveness, and provide reporting for follow-on activities.

Task
2424

Incorporate cyber operations and communications security support plans into organization objectives.

Task
2524

Integrate cyber planning/targeting efforts with other organizations.

Task
2528

Interpret environment preparations assessments to determine a course of action.

Task
2529

Issue requests for information.

Task
2530

Knowledge and understanding of operational design.

Knowledge
2531

Knowledge of organizational planning concepts.

Knowledge
2564

Maintain situational awareness to determine if changes to the operating environment require review of the plan.

Task
2590

Monitor and evaluate integrated cyber operations to identify opportunities to meet organization objectives.

Task
2626

Provide subject matter expertise to planning efforts with internal and external cyber operations partners.

Task
2702

Prepare for and provide subject matter expertise to exercises.

Task
2746

Provide input for the development and refinement of the cyber operations objectives, priorities, strategies, plans, and programs.

Task
2752

Provide input to the administrative and logistical elements of an operational support plan.

Task
2761

Provide planning support between internal and external partners.

Task
2778

Recommend refinement, adaption, termination, and execution of operational plans as appropriate.

Task
2816

Review, approve, prioritize, and submit operational requirements for research, development, and/or acquisition of cyber capabilities.

Task
2837

Submit or respond to requests for deconfliction of cyber operations.

Task
2888

Document lessons learned that convey the results of events and/or exercises.

Task
3001

Ability to accurately and completely source all data used in intelligence, assessment and/or planning products.

Ability
3003

Ability to adjust to and operate in a diverse, unpredictable, challenging, and fast-paced work environment.

Ability
3011

Ability to apply critical reading/thinking skills.

Ability
3015

Ability to apply approved planning development and staffing processes.

Ability
3021

Ability to collaborate effectively with others.

Ability
3022

Ability to communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and/or visual means.

Ability
3033

Ability to coordinate cyber operations with other organization functions or support activities.

Ability
3040

Ability to develop or recommend planning solutions to problems and situations for which no precedent exists.

Ability
3041

Ability to effectively collaborate via virtual teams.

Ability
3044

Ability to exercise judgment when policies are not well-defined.

Ability
3048

Ability to function in a collaborative environment, seeking continuous consultation with other analysts and experts—both internal and external to the organization—in order to leverage analytical and technical expertise.

Ability
3057

Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and guidance relevant to organization cyber objectives.

Ability
3060

Ability to interpret and understand complex and rapidly evolving concepts.

Ability
3066

Ability to participate as a member of planning teams, coordination groups, and task forces as necessary.

Ability
3076

Ability to tailor technical and planning information to a customer’s level of understanding.

Ability
3095

Knowledge of internet network addressing (IP addresses, classless inter-domain routing, TCP/UDP port numbering).

Knowledge
3098

Knowledge of virtualization products (Vmware, Virtual PC).

Knowledge
3106

Knowledge of a wide range of basic communications media concepts and terminology (e.g., computer and telephone networks, satellite, cable, wireless).

Knowledge
3107

Knowledge of a wide range of concepts associated with websites (e.g., website types, administration, functions, software systems, etc.).

Knowledge
3129

Knowledge of attack methods and techniques (DDoS, brute force, spoofing, etc.).

Knowledge
3154

Knowledge of classification and control markings standards, policies and procedures.

Knowledge
3155

Knowledge of client organizations, including information needs, objectives, structure, capabilities, etc.

Knowledge
3159

Knowledge of cyber operations support or enabling processes.

Knowledge
3173

Knowledge of operational effectiveness assessment.

Knowledge
3177

Knowledge of common computer/network infections (virus, Trojan, etc.) and methods of infection (ports, attachments, etc.).

Knowledge
3188

Knowledge of computer networking fundamentals (i.e., basic computer components of a network, types of networks, etc.).

Knowledge
3194

Knowledge of crisis action planning and time sensitive planning procedures.

Knowledge
3211

Knowledge of cyber laws and legal considerations and their effect on cyber planning.

Knowledge
3215

Knowledge of cyber actions (i.e. cyber defense, information gathering, environment preparation, cyber attack) principles, capabilities, limitations, and effects.

Knowledge
3225

Knowledge of data communications terminology (e.g., networking protocols, Ethernet, IP, encryption, optical devices, removable media).

Knowledge
3235

Knowledge of deconfliction processes and procedures.

Knowledge
3257

Knowledge of target and threat organization structures, critical capabilities, and critical vulnerabilities.

Knowledge
3262

Knowledge of evolving/emerging communications technologies.

Knowledge
3264

Knowledge of existing, emerging, and long-range issues related to cyber operations strategy, policy, and organization.

Knowledge
3268

Knowledge of staff management, assignment, and allocation processes.

Knowledge
3274

Knowledge of fundamental cyber operations concepts, terminology/lexicon (i.e., environment preparation, cyber attack, cyber defense), principles, capabilities, limitations, and effects.

Knowledge
3275

Knowledge of fundamental cyber concepts, principles, limitations, and effects.

Knowledge
3291

Knowledge of how internet applications work (SMTP email, web-based email, chat clients, VOIP).

Knowledge
3292

Knowledge of how modern digital and telephony networks impact cyber operations.

Knowledge
3326

Knowledge of information security concepts, facilitating technologies and methods.

Knowledge
3358

Knowledge of organizational hierarchy and cyber decision making processes.

Knowledge
3374

Knowledge of malware.

Knowledge
3388

Knowledge of crisis action planning for cyber operations.

Knowledge
3391

Knowledge of objectives, situation, operational environment, and the status and disposition of internal and external partner collection capabilities available to support planning.

Knowledge
3441

Knowledge of physical and logical network devices and infrastructure to include hubs, switches, routers, firewalls, etc.

Knowledge
3444

Knowledge of planning activity initiation.

Knowledge
3445

Knowledge of planning timelines adaptive, crisis action, and time-sensitive planning.

Knowledge
3459

Knowledge of the functions and capabilities of internal teams that emulate threat activities to benefit the organization.

Knowledge
3539

Knowledge of telecommunications fundamentals.

Knowledge
3543

Knowledge of the basic structure, architecture, and design of modern communication networks.

Knowledge
3545

Knowledge of the basics of network security (e.g., encryption, firewalls, authentication, honey pots, perimeter protection).

Knowledge
3554

Knowledge of the critical information requirements and how they’re used in planning.

Knowledge
3561

Knowledge of the common networking and routing protocols(e.g. TCP/IP), services (e.g., web, mail, DNS), and how they interact to provide network communications.

Knowledge
3570

Knowledge of the organizational structure as it pertains to full spectrum cyber operations, including the functions, responsibilities, and interrelationships among distinct internal elements.

Knowledge
3585

Knowledge of accepted organization planning systems.

Knowledge
3591

Knowledge of organization objectives, leadership priorities, and decision-making risks.

Knowledge
3601

Knowledge of the outputs of course of action and exercise analysis.

Knowledge
3605

Knowledge of the information environment.

Knowledge
3606

Knowledge of the process used to assess the performance and impact of operations.

Knowledge
3609

Knowledge of the range of cyber operations and their underlying intelligence support needs, topics, and focus areas.

Knowledge
3610

Knowledge of the relationships between end states, objectives, effects, lines of operation, etc.

Knowledge
3613

Knowledge of the role of network operations in supporting and facilitating other organization operations.

Knowledge
3616

Knowledge of the structure, architecture, and design of modern digital and telephony networks.

Knowledge
3627

Knowledge of cryptologic capabilities, limitations, and contributions to cyber operations.

Knowledge
3630

Knowledge of the ways in which targets or threats use the Internet.

Knowledge
3639

Knowledge of organization cyber operations programs, strategies, and resources.

Knowledge
3651

Knowledge of what constitutes a “threat” to a network.

Knowledge
3659

Knowledge of wireless technologies (e.g., cellular, satellite, GSM) to include the basic structure, architecture, and design of modern wireless communications systems.

Knowledge
3665

Skill in administrative planning activities, to include preparation of functional and specific support plans, preparing and managing correspondence, and staffing procedures.

Skill
3681

Skill in applying analytical methods typically employed to support planning and to justify recommended strategies and courses of action.

Skill
3685

Skill in applying crisis planning procedures.

Skill
3747

Skill in developing and executing comprehensive cyber operations assessment programs for assessing and validating operational performance characteristics.

Skill
3766

Skill in documenting and communicating complex technical and programmatic information.

Skill
3772

Skill in evaluating information for reliability, validity, and relevance.

Skill
3844

Skill in preparing and presenting briefings.

Skill
3845

Skill in preparing plans and related correspondence.

Skill
3879

Skill in reviewing and editing plans.

Skill
3938

Skill in utilizing feedback in order to improve processes, products, and services.

Skill
3946

Skill in utilizing virtual collaborative workspaces and/or tools (e.g., IWS, VTCs, chat rooms, SharePoint).

Skill
3967

Skill to anticipate key target or threat activities which are likely to prompt a leadership decision.

Skill
4023

Skill to graphically depict decision support materials containing intelligence and partner capability estimates.

Skill
6900

* Knowledge of specific operational impacts of cybersecurity lapses.

Knowledge

Additional KSATs

KSAT ID Description KSAT
2058

Assist and advise inter-agency partners in identifying and developing best practices for facilitating operational support to achievement of organization objectives.

Task
2160

Contribute to the development of the organization’s decision support tools if necessary.

Task
2237

Determine indicators (e.g., measures of effectiveness) that are best suited to specific cyber operation objectives.

Task
2368

Ensure that intelligence planning activities are integrated and synchronized with operational planning timelines.

Task
2386

Evaluate intelligence estimates to support the planning cycle.

Task
2459A

Identify cyber intelligence gaps and shortfalls.

Task
2558

Maintain relationships with internal and external partners involved in cyber planning or related areas.

Task
2561

Maintain situational awareness of cyber-related intelligence requirements and associated tasking.

Task
2562

Maintain situational awareness of partner capabilities and activities.

Task
2624

Conduct long-range, strategic planning efforts with internal and external partners in cyber activities.

Task
3054

Ability to identify external partners with common cyber operations interests.

Ability
3114

Knowledge of all forms of intelligence support needs, topics, and focus areas.

Knowledge
3271

Knowledge of internal and external partner cyber operations capabilities and tools.

Knowledge
3293

Knowledge of how modern wireless communications systems impact cyber operations.

Knowledge
3342

Knowledge of intelligence support to planning, execution, and assessment.

Knowledge
3356

Knowledge of organization policies and planning concepts for partnering with internal and/or external organizations.

Knowledge
3419

Knowledge of organization or partner exploitation of digital networks.

Knowledge
3463

Knowledge of required intelligence planning products associated with cyber operational planning.

Knowledge
3489

Knowledge of organizational structures and associated intelligence capabilities.

Knowledge
3571

Knowledge of the organizational planning and staffing process.

Knowledge
3572

Knowledge of organization decision support tools and/or methods.

Knowledge
3607

Knowledge of the processes to synchronize operational assessment procedures with the critical information requirement process.

Knowledge
3615

Knowledge of the structure and intent of organization specific plans, guidance and authorizations.

Knowledge
3638

Knowledge of organization issues, objectives, and operations in cyber as well as regulations and policy directives governing cyber operations.

Knowledge
3976

Skill to apply the process used to assess the performance and impact of cyber operations.

Skill
3998

Skill to craft indicators of operational progress/success.

Skill
4008

Skill to distinguish between notional and actual resources and their applicability to the plan under development.

Skill
4058

Skill to synchronize operational assessment procedures with the critical information requirement process.

Skill
4451

Knowledge of full-spectrum cyberspace operational missions (e.g., DODIN Operations, DCO, OCO, cyberspace ISR, and Operational Preparation of the Environment (OPE)), principles, capabilities, limitations, and effects.

KSA
4471

Knowledge of intelligence/SIGINT reporting and dissemination procedures.

KSA
8069

Develop cyberspace operations TTPs for integration into operational and tactical levels of planning.

Task