Strategic Initiatives Research Articles

Malaysia’s National Blockchain Roadmap: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Focus, Goals, and Challenges

This Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) study examines Malaysia’s National Blockchain Roadmap 2021-2025, assessing its focus, goals, future development plans, and challenges based on text and context analysis. The study reveals that the roadmap presents a comprehensive strategy aimed at leveraging blockchain technology to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness in the digital age. It emphasizes government adoption, regulatory clarity, industry collaboration, talent development, infrastructure investment, and use case exploration to lay the foundation for Malaysia to emerge as a global leader in blockchain innovation. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, Malaysia aims to streamline administrative processes, enhance transparency, and optimize resource allocation within public agencies, showcasing its commitment to digital transformation and socioeconomic development. Additionally, the roadmap prioritizes the development of a robust regulatory framework to govern blockchain usage, fostering innovation while ensuring compliance. Industry engagement is underscored with initiatives aimed at catalyzing the development of industry-specific blockchain solutions tailored to address key challenges and opportunities. The roadmap anticipates further development and expansion driven by technological advances, evolving regulatory frameworks, and industry collaboration. Based on the context analysis, the roadmap faces several challenges, including regulatory uncertainty, interoperability issues, resource constraints, lack of trust, intellectual property concerns, and competing priorities. To overcome these challenges, Malaysia needs to advance in technology, regulatory frameworks, industry collaboration, education, talent development, infrastructure investment, and use further case exploration.

The role of strategic marketing in the market space of medicine

The development of organizational processes in a medical organization is primarily determined by market efficiency and ensuring a competitive and safe environment. The mentioned circumstance indicates the correspondence between the business capabilities of the clinic and the current changes in the market, which consequently leads to a positive transformation in the treatment and business processes of the medical organization. The economic model of the organization can be perceived as the basis of strategic planning. A strategic approach in modern conditions ensures effective use of organizational advantages and neutralization of the factors that determine the vulnerability of the industry in the near term. The economic model of a medical organization is a representation of economic processes. The creation of the model should be consistent with the objectives of the study. The purpose of developing an economic model is to create a strategic plan through which strategic initiatives will be evaluated. The economic model corresponds to the development possibilities of the company. The model may undergo adjustments to take into account organizational and market changes.

Control of Personal Data and Cyber ​​Space by Global Digital Platforms in Relation to Indonesia's Digital Sovereignty

The dominance of foreign digital platforms in the application ecosystem within Indonesia poses significant implications for the sovereignty of the Indonesian state; the utilization of such foreign digital technologies results in the inadvertent surrender and delegation of citizen data to foreign entities for monitoring and processing purposes. This phenomenon has elicited concern among legal scholars, as the usage of foreign applications signifies the applicability of the legal frameworks from the countries of origin of these applications. This raises critical questions regarding the sovereignty of the Indonesian state, particularly concerning its ability to exert control over data and cyberspace in the context of global platforms. The methodological approach employed in this investigation is grounded in normative legal research, utilizing a conceptual framework that examines relevant legal statutes. The aggregation and distribution of personal data constitutes an infringement upon individual privacy rights, as the right to privacy inherently encompasses the prerogative to determine the provision of personal information. The strategic policies and initiatives undertaken by the Indonesian government to bolster national digital sovereignty can be realized through several measures: the implementation of comprehensive personal data protection standards to enhance national digital sovereignty, the establishment of an independent authority for personal data protection, the fortification of cybersecurity measures to mitigate data security risks, and the jurisdictional enforcement of cyberspace law towards achieving digital economic sovereignty. There exists a pressing need for extensive regulatory frameworks to safeguard personal data as an integral component of human rights. A balance must be struck in the management of personal data processing, ensuring the protection of rights and fostering awareness among data subjects, thereby facilitating the development of a secure digital economic ecosystem that offers legal certainty for enterprises and enhances consumer confidence. Furthermore, the establishment of equitable international personal data protection regulations is essential to support the advancement of the digital economy through arrangements governing cross-border data flow.

Enhancing Digital Transformation: A Comprehensive Review of PT Hutama Karya's Information Technology Management in 2023

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of PT Hutama Karya’s Information Technology (IT) Management Report for the year 2023. The study focuses on the company’s strategic initiatives and achievements in aligning IT functions with its business objectives, particularly in the context of Industry 4.0 readiness. Key areas examined include the evolution of IT architecture, implementation of IT governance frameworks, cybersecurity enhancements, ERP integration, and the development of supporting applications. The findings highlight the significant progress made in digital transformation and the proactive steps taken to ensure the company’s IT infrastructure supports its strategic goals.

HARNESSING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR ADVANCED THREAT DETECTION IN NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURES

As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, traditional security measures are falling behind in the face of these evolving attacks. This article highlights the role of Smart Sentinel, a cutting-edge threat detection system that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen network defenses. Unlike conventional security solutions, Smart Sentinel employs machine learning algorithms to continuously learn and adapt, enabling it to detect anomalies and potential threats in real-time. By analyzing a variety of data sources, including network traffic and user behavior, the system establishes a baseline of normal activity and continually enhances its threat detection capabilities. Key features such as anomaly detection, behavioral analysis, real-time response, and adaptive learning contribute to an improved security posture, reduced false positives, enhanced operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Smart Sentinel represents a significant breakthrough in cybersecurity, providing organizations with a proactive and resilient defense against the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. Key features such as anomaly detection, behavioral analysis, real-time response, and adaptive learning contribute to Smart Sentinel’s effectiveness in protecting organizations against cyber threats. Anomaly detection: Smart Sentinel identifies unusual patterns and activities that deviate from established norms, alerting security teams to potential threats. Behavioral analysis: Smart Sentinel goes beyond simply detecting anomalies by analyzing user and system behavior to identify suspicious patterns that may indicate malicious intent. Real-time response: Smart Sentinel’s real-time response capabilities enable it to take immediate action upon detecting a threat, such as isolating compromised systems, blocking malicious IP addresses, or generating alerts for human intervention. Adaptive learning: Through continuous monitoring and analysis, Smart Sentinel continuously learns and improves its ability to discern between normal and malicious activities, reducing false positives and improving overall security posture. Smart Sentinel’s impact on organizations is multifaceted: Enhanced security posture: Smart Sentinel proactively identifies and mitigates emerging threats, strengthening an organization’s overall security posture. Reduced false positives: Smart Sentinel’s adaptive learning capabilities minimize the number of false positives, preventing alert fatigue and allowing security teams to focus on genuine threats. Operational efficiency: Smart Sentinel automates routine tasks, freeing up security teams to focus on strategic initiatives and improve operational efficiency. Cost-effectiveness: Smart Sentinel optimizes cybersecurity investments by automating threat detection and response, reducing the need for costly manual intervention and minimizing the potential for financial losses from successful cyberattacks.

A Study of Risk and Efficiency in Public and Private Sector Banks in India

This study aims to compare the risk profiles and operational efficiencies between public and private sector banks in India. By analysing various financial metrics and employing advanced statistical techniques, we seek to uncover the underlying factors contributing to the differences in performance between these two sectors. The investigation encompasses a comprehensive review of both quantitative and qualitative data, including but not limited to, capital adequacy ratios, non-performing assets (NPAs), return on assets (ROA), and customer satisfaction indices. Furthermore, the study delves into the regulatory environment, technological adoption, and strategic initiatives undertaken by these banks to mitigate risks and enhance efficiency. Through this comparative analysis, we aim to provide insights that could inform policy decisions, strategic planning, and risk management practices within the banking industry in India. Keywords: Banking sector, Risk management, Operational efficiency, Public vs. private banks, financial performance, Regulatory environment, Technological adoption.

Decoding Corporate Social Responsibility Practises : India’s Unique Framework

Objectives: The Study aims to analyze the evolution and regulatory mandates of CSR in India, explore stake holder engagement dynamics, highlight leading Organisations driving sustainability and address challenges like transparency and accountability within the CSR landscape. Methods: The study employed a descriptive and analytical method, utilizing both primary and secondary data sources. Result: The study reveals India's diverse CSR landscape shaped by regulatory mandates, cultural values, and stakeholder expectations, showcasing a shift towards strategic initiatives addressing social and environmental challenges. While challenges like transparency and impact measurement persist, opportunities for improvement exist, emphasizing the need for integrating CSR into business strategies and fostering stakeholder engagement. Successful CSR practices underscore businesses' potential to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development while bolstering their reputation and competitiveness. Conclusion: India's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) landscape is characterized by a complex interplay of regulatory mandates, cultural values, and stakeholder engagement, all aimed at fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development. Despite notable progress driven by legislative requirements like the Companies Act 2013, challenges such as effective implementation and transparency persist. However, through enhanced accountability, regulatory reforms, and a focus on aligning CSR strategies with local needs and global sustainability goals, India can further strengthen its CSR framework. By leveraging insights from the study, policymakers, businesses, and civil society organizations can collaboratively address these challenges and unlock the full potential of CSR to drive positive societal impact and contribute to a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

China’s Efforts to Bring Political Stability and Economic Prosperity in the Middle East: The Case of Mending the Saudi-Iran Ties

The history of international relations reveals that the security of the geostrategic interests of major powers had been associated with the stability of the concerned region. Almost the whole current political scenario of the world reflects the same views. However, the case of the United States (US) is quite the opposite as it seems to secure its interests but not pay attention to the welfare of the concerned regions. This research presents an innovative model in this connection in which an attempt has been made to explore the strategies of one of the major powers i.e. China that has strived to restore political stability to gain economic prosperity in the Middle East. The research emphasizes China’s strategy for mending the Saudi-Iran ties that have widened its opportunities to build cordial relations with the regional states, especially concerning ensuring peace activities in the region. It has elaborated on China’s strategic partnership initiative through which it has minimized the non-productive US influence in the Middle East and has cashed countless opportunities to enhance its economic and political support. Specifically, after the recent Saudi-Iran rapprochement, China can now build diplomatic capitals on both sides of the Persian Gulf. Anyhow, after ensuring a peaceful environment in the Middle East, China has emerged as the most influential power that can guarantee regional security along with the security of its geostrategic interests as well. The research suggests that the deal will be helpful for the regional states to get themselves out of the longer period of instability and economic exploitation at the hands of the United States (US).

CSR communication and internal stakeholders: The overlooked market

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the adoption of responsible business practices concerning economic, environmental and social principles, is a tool to develop market value for various stakeholder groups. CSR can create several competitive advantages and should not be seen as a cost, but as a strategic initiative to aid organisations in competing in the market. Effective internal CSR communication to employees enhances an organisation’s corporate identity (CI) – ultimately affecting employees’ attitudes and behaviour. This paper aims to explore South African retail employees’ perceptions of internal CSR communication methods used by their organisations. A dataset of 229 employees participated by completing a computer-aided self-administered survey, which was distributed via LinkedIn. The main findings of the study indicate that employees perceived their organisations to make use of e-mail communication, internal newsletters, web and social media platforms to communicate with them regarding CSR, indicating that other internal communication platforms such as intranet or internal meetings can be utilised more to communicate with employees.

Driving digital transformation in construction: Strategic insights into building information modelling adoption in developing countries

The construction industry in developing countries faces significant challenges, including limited resources, infrastructure constraints, and varying levels of technological readiness, which hinder the adoption of Building Information Modelling. Despite the recognized benefits in enhancing project efficiency, reducing costs, and improving collaboration, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding and tailored strategies for Building Information Modelling implementation in these contexts. This study aims to address these gaps by systematically reviewing Building Information Modelling adoption literature from 2013 to 2023 and developing a model specifically designed to guide its integration in developing nations. It categorizes nations by demographic and economic parameters and employs thematic analysis to explore benefits, challenges, and strategies. The study develops a tailored Building Information Modelling adoption model, by highlighting the dynamic interplay between adoption, contextual and strategic factors, technological advancement and socio-economic development and synthesizing key insights from academic literature and empirical findings. It offers strategic recommendations for nations at different Building Information Modelling integration stages, addressing their unique socio-economic and environmental contexts. The study identifies trends in utilization and highlights significant gaps, particularly in empirical, educational and strategic initiatives on digital construction transformation.

Perceived brand transparency: A conceptualization and measurement scale

AbstractAmid product scandals, corporate malpractices, and the proliferation of misinformation, consumers are becoming increasingly more skeptical about the brands they purchase. Transparency is often hailed as a strategic imperative to reassure consumers and increase brand trust; however, its deployment can be complex. With additional transparency, consumers may become overloaded with information, and the brand may be exposed to unwanted external scrutiny. Consequently, before disclosing strategically sensitive information, brands need more insight into how increasing transparency might translate into strategically desirable consumers' brand evaluations. Addressing this need, we examine how transparency initiatives translate into consumers' evaluation of brands by delineating the dimensions of the perceived brand transparency construct, namely, observability, comprehensibility, and intentionality. Next, we use this conceptualization to develop and validate a scale to measure perceived brand transparency. We close with a brand transparency research agenda, as well as practical guidance for managers considering investing in strategic transparency initiatives.

A bibliometric analysis of Islamic banking sustainability: a study based on Scopus scientific database

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the scientific trend of research on Islamic banking sustainability (IBS) through a bibliometric study. In particular, the paper extensively investigates all the articles issued through the Scopus database regarding the IBS.Design/methodology/approachThe authors discovered 76 papers that met the function, subject and set requirements by using the phrase IBS. The authors used VOSviewer as an analytical tool and the Scopus website.FindingsIBS publications were found in the period 2005–2022, and the publication trend of IBS research demonstrates that it is growing exponentially after 2018. Malaysia is the leading country in terms of productive authors, universities, number of documents, citations and collaboration research on IBS. The current research trends are summarized into five cluster maps for future research directions: sustainability measurement, sustainability practices, risk and governance, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and IBS theory. The Maqashid al Shariah approach conceptually influences the framework for constructing the dimensions and indicators used to measure the IBS.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors retrieved data for their research from the Scopus database; using other databases might result in totally different research patterns with this IBS bibliometric research.Practical implicationsThe research encompasses valuable implications for Islamic banking as it offers valuable insights on how to assess the performance of IBS. Particularly, it contributes to identifying the dimensions and indicators needed to measure IBS performance. Furthermore, this research provides strategic initiatives to promote sustainable practices in Islamic banking in terms of green financing taxonomy, services, operations, risk management and governance.Social implicationsThis research is valuable for other scholars as it offers a foundation for the future growth of IBS research, focusing on important sustainability clusters obtained from selected reputable journals. This research is beneficial for regulators in enhancing the roadmap for establishing and enhancing long-term IBS with impacts on socio-economic, environmental and governance.Originality/valueThe study presents a concise review of the bibliometric study in IBS and provides recommendations for future research directions in cluster mapping of themes and subthemes. There is still insufficient research that examines the IBS, in particular, complete insights into the IBS literature review.

Navigating challenges in spine surgery in Nigeria: the current state and strategies for advancing spine care.

The provision of specialized spine care in Nigeria presents a pressing challenge amid limited resources and geographical disparities. This correspondence offers a comprehensive roadmap for improving spine surgery and care within the country. We examine the current state of spinal health infrastructure, highlighting barriers such as limited access to specialists and facilities, particularly in rural areas, and financial constraints for patients. Innovations in spinal treatment, including the adoption of minimally invasive techniques and advancements in surgical modalities, are discussed alongside persistent challenges such as disparities in access and equipment costs. Training and education of spine surgeons emerge as critical areas requiring attention, with a shortage of qualified professionals exacerbated by inadequate training programs and resource constraints. We advocate for fostering local and international collaborations to address these gaps, emphasizing the role of partnerships in capacity building and knowledge exchange. Additionally, we explore the potential of public-private partnerships and investments to enhance the Nigerian spine healthcare system, calling for strategic initiatives to modernize infrastructure and improve accessibility. Finally, we propose a strategic blueprint encompassing infrastructure enhancement, training programs, research initiatives, policy advocacy, and public awareness campaigns. Through concerted efforts from local stakeholders and international partners, we envision a future where spine care in Nigeria is comprehensive, accessible, and of high quality, leading to improved health outcomes and a higher quality of life for those affected by spinal conditions.

Increasing Turnover Rate among Emirati Employees in Private Sector in Ras Al Khaima

Purpose: This study is aiming to examine the factors that contribute to the increasing rate of Emirati employees leaving their jobs in Ras Al Khaima private sector. It will demonstrate how these factors affect employees and result in their decision to leave their jobs. Additionally, which factor has the most impact on their intentions to resign will be identified. Moreover, what Human Resource Management do in response to that issue in order to strengthen their organization's position in the business market. According to the findings, this paper will attempt to introduce and propose some recommendations on how Human Resource Management can attract Emirati people to work in Ras Al Khaima private sector. Methodology: To handle this problem, the research will depend on the based-literature review methodology. The study relied on literature review to infer the factors that contribute to the increasing turnover rate among Emirati employees in Ras Al Khaima private sector. A comprehensive review of relevant academic and empirical literature was conducted to find out these factors. Findings: The main finding of the study is the positive relationship between job satisfaction and salary, rewards, benefits & compensation, as well as flexible work practices and career development opportunities. Job satisfaction decreases the employee intention to quit their jobs. Additionally, shorter working hours which is needed to achieve work-life balance is related positively to employee retention and decreases turnover rate among employees. The paper also concluded that organizational support, fairness perception, and work-family culture are critical variables in employee retention. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study will provide new insights that would incorporate different views on employee turnover relevant to the Emirati context particularly in the private sector of Ras Al Khaimah. It will offer some recommendations that will enable policymakers to develop measures that can help reduce turnover rates among Emirati employees. It will also help in improving the HR practices according to the awareness of the socio-cultural and economic characteristics that affect the Emirati workers. Additionally, the policy recommendations may inform the creation of laws and measures that could enhance the employment status and satisfaction of Emirati employees in the private sector. The paper recommends creating strategic Emiratization initiatives, enhancing work environment through focusing on cultural values, engaging HR managers in setting UAE-specific HRM models that account for cultural and organizational peculiarities.

Enhancing Faculty Satisfaction and Performance in Higher Education: The Transformative Role of HR and Technology Integration

Abstract This study investigates the role of Human Resources (HR) strategies and technology integration in enhancing faculty satisfaction and performance at Kuwait's private higher education institutions (HEIs) amidst perceived institutional challenges. It investigates three key factors: technology use in performance evaluation, human resources' role in adapting to global educational shifts, and faculty views on institutional challenges. By surveying 60 faculty members and employing statistical techniques to investigate the relationships between these variables and faculty satisfaction, significant correlations were found between faculty satisfaction, technology integration, and HR's strategic initiatives. Statistical analysis revealed no significant impact of perceived institutional challenges on faculty satisfaction; this unexpected result suggests that faculty satisfaction within the examined HEIs may be more directly influenced by proactive technology and HR strategies than by the challenges these institutions face. Ultimately, the research proposes a new paradigm for HR in the educational sector, emphasizing the necessity of a dynamic and strategic HR function to achieve sustainable excellence and create an environment where faculty members feel valued, supported, and motivated. This approach is essential for navigating the challenges of a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world, suggesting further research to investigate additional factors influencing faculty satisfaction and to refine the proposed model.

Harnessing authentic leadership to transform an academic health system: Tampa General Hospital case study

The US healthcare industry is changing faster than ever before, and its evolution should be expected to continue — and at an even more accelerated rate. Research shows that to adapt and thrive in this ever-changing landscape and best meet the needs of patients, healthcare leaders must be prepared to navigate present-day challenges, including unprecedented levels of burnout and turnover, talent shortages and cost pressures while simultaneously anticipating future needs such as digital transformation, new care models and strategic growth initiatives. To act on this framework, healthcare leaders must also lead their organisations with authenticity, transparency, kindness and vulnerability to unite and activate their teams around a common vision and realistic expectations for how it will be achieved. This paper, in case study format, defines the enterprise leadership and AKTiVe leadership models; details how this authentic leadership framework was deployed at Tampa General Hospital to accelerate growth and innovation; and provides an overview of outcomes, influence and lessons learned through implementation.

Harnessing Hydrogen: A Comprehensive Literature Review on Strategic Launching Initiatives in the Global Energy Market

Harnessing Hydrogen: A Comprehensive Literature Review on Strategic Launching Initiatives in the Global Energy Market

Enhancing early detection of lung cancer: A strategic initiative to boost screening rates among patients.

e22512 Background: Lung cancer is the top cause of cancer death in the U.S. Despite LDCT screenings reducing mortality, uptake is low in Alabama and nationally (6% vs. 4.5%). The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual LDCT for certain high-risk adults, but factors like awareness, access, and policy affect screening rates. Alabama's situation is worsened by rural disparities and socioeconomic issues. Infirmary Health is the largest private, not for profit health care system in the state of Alabama. This study focuses on evaluating LDCT screening in a selected clinic of our health care system, pinpointing obstacles to adherence, and seeking ways to boost screenings to lower lung cancer mortality through early detection. Methods: As part of the Summer 2023 ASCO Quality Training Program we adopted a QI approach to increase LDCT lung cancer screening. It began by assessing baseline screening rates and staff knowledge, then created problem and aim statements. The team conducted root cause analysis, used a Pareto chart for issue prioritization, and employed a Priority Pay-off Matrix to focus on impactful, feasible issues. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle was then used to develop, test, and implement interventions, ensuring strategic alignment and effective monitoring of outcomes to enhance screening rates. Results: From January to July 2023, the Infirmary Health -Hillcrest clinic had a low 10.53% LDCT screening rate (system wide 6%, this clinic was selected due to it's highest screening rate), leading to late-stage lung cancer diagnoses and higher mortality. To address this, a goal was set to triple the screening rate to 30% by December 2023. Key barriers identified were staff and patient knowledge about lung cancer screening and a cumbersome LDCT ordering process. A PDSA cycle initiated between September and December 2023, firstly focused on Patient/Clinic Education, increasing screening rates by simplifying the process—removing doctor signature requirements and enhancing staff knowledge through meetings and informative flyers. The subsequent phase introduced a Nurse Navigator, who further increased screenings through prescreening, staff reminders, and on-site visits. By December of 2023 the LDCT screening rate was increased from baseline 10.53% to 33.3%. Conclusions: Through identifying and addressing key issues like education, faulty process and nurse navigation we successfully elevated LDCT screening rates. This study highlights the benefit of participating in a structured quality training program. [Table: see text]

Geographic distribution and accessibility of clinic trials for advanced-stage pancreatic cancer in the United States: A focus on rural and minority health disparities.

11048 Background: Our research delves into the geographical distribution and accessibility of clinical trials for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients in the U.S., spotlighting the challenges faced by rural communities and minority groups. Prior research indicated nearly half of these patients would have to commute over an hour to reach a trial site. [1] Our study provides a refreshed perspective on this issue, offering a more comprehensive analysis. Methods: Utilizing the ClinicalTrials.gov portal, we identified active interventional clinical trials for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients as of November 25, 2022. We obtained distinct zip codes linked to these trials and, using 2020 census data, gauged the proportion of the U.S. populace residing within specific distances from these sites. Our analysis encompassed factors like urbanity, ethnicity, and other socio-economic parameters. We also developed illustrative maps to visually represent the U.S. clinical trial accessibility landscape. Results: The majority of Americans diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer have clinical trials within their reach. A significant 65.7% of the U.S. populace resides within a 30-mile radius of a relevant clinical trial site. However, a closer look reveals pronounced disparities based on urban-rural demarcations and racial lines, with American Indians facing the most pronounced accessibility challenges. Conclusions: Our data underscores the uneven geographical spread of these trials. This skewed distribution poses accessibility hurdles for specific demographics, especially those in rural areas and certain racial groups. Our findings underscore the pressing need for strategic initiatives to rectify these disparities, ensuring clinical trials are within reach for every individual, irrespective of their location or background.

Planning for Strategic Information Operations

Abstract Strategic information operations (IO) have normally been viewed as an issue above the military level. Nevertheless, they are critical both in shaping the larger operational environment and in providing a strategic initiative short of war. As such, they are crucial for military strategists. Also, in most Western countries, the focus has been on defensive measures against opponents’ IO efforts. Such a defensive mindset is unlikely to succeed. Some long-term patterns and lessons learned in IO provide a useful template for both defensive and offensive IO campaigns.