INTRODUCTION
This paper is an assignment for the course SIS 803. It intends to explain the concept of Strategy, Techniques and Tactics. It also relates these concepts to Security and Intelligence. National Security Strategy of the United States and Nigeria are talking points in this paper.
DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
Strategy
The business dictionary defined strategy as an established, habitual, logical, or prescribed practice or systematic process of achieving certain ends with accuracy and efficiency, usually in an ordered sequence of fixed steps. It is also described as a high level plan to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty.
Fred Nickols in his book (Strategy: Definitions and Meaning) stated "B.H. Liddell Harts" definition of strategy. Lindell Hart definedmilitary strategy as "the art of distributing and applying military means to fulfil the ends of policy (p.335)." Reading further in Nickols book, he gave Henry Mintzberg's definition of strategy as stated in his book "The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning". Mintzberg pointed out that people use "strategy" in several different ways, the most common being these four (pp.23-27):
1. Strategy is a plan, a "how," a means of getting from here to there.
2. Strategy is a pattern in actions over time; for example, a com-pany that regularly markets very expensive products is using a "high end" strategy.
3. Strategy is position; that is, it reflects decisions to offer particular products or services in particular markets.
4. Strategy is perspective, that is, vision and direction.
Robert Jonas in his book "The Real Meaning of Strategy" also defined strategy in four different categories. They are:
1. Designed strategy
This is probably the most “traditional” kind of strategy, because it is deliberate, defined, and it knows exactly where it’s going. It is also written, with a clear, predetermined aim that is known and communicated to all the individuals within the organization. More so than the other types of strategy, a designed strategy leaves no question as to what path the organization is on.
2. Adaptive strategy
Unlike the designed strategy, an adaptive strategy evolves over time in response to pressures inside and outside the organization. The process usually begins with a loose scenario depicting how to best utilize the company’s resources, and the strategies develop through an ongoing process of trial and error. Even the intended aims can be altered if some new force or factor demands it. Due to their fluid nature, adaptive strategies are well suited to dynamic industries like software development where change is fast, frequent and furious. They also work best when the are “bottom-up” driven, originating and flowing from the management that is closest to the customers.
3. Framed strategy
In contrast to both adaptive and designed strategies, a framed strategy consists of a set of actions with little or no detail. Rather than a defined path, a framed strategy generally starts out with a set of initiatives – loosely defined actions which require individuals to determine their own course in order to achieve the expected result. There isn’t much leadership in a framed strategy, and for this reason it will most likely never achieve results unless it is transformed into either a designed or adaptive strategy.
4.Executed strategy
An executed strategy is simply a designed or adaptive strategy that has formed a consistent pattern of action or behavior over time. In other words, an executed strategy is done, it’s finished, it’s been integrated into the organization’s way of doing things. Provided it is achieving the intended result, there is nothing further to add or subtract from an executed strategy.
Techniques
Technique is a way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure. (Isman 2012) defined technique as :
1. The manner in which technical details are treated… or basic physical movements are used…
2. Also the ability to treat such details or use such movements: a) A body of technical methods b) a method of accomplishing a desired aim.
He emphasized that technique in general is described as a method or style of implementing systematic technological knowledge. This general definition of technique includes cultural behaviors as well as human interactions with tools and products associated with human arts, crafts, and skills.
(Hofler 2010) defined technique as the immediate procedure or strategy that is used to implement methods.
Tactics
The business dictionary described tactics as a means by which a strategy is carried out; planned and ad hoc activities meant to deal with the demands of the moment, and to move from one milestone to other in pursuit of the overall goal(s). Tactics is an action that aims to achieve a goal. The term tactics is often confused with strategy. It should be noted that tactics is the means used to achieve a goal or objective while strategy is the general plan set out to achieve an objective.
Defining Strategy, Technique and Tactics in relation to security and intelligence operations
A Security Strategy is a document prepared periodically which outlines the major security concerns of a country or organisation and outlines plans to deal with them. It should be noted that before strategy, techniques and tactics can come in place, there must be an impending danger or threat.
"The National Security Strategy of the United State of America "is a publication of the white house. In its recent issue, President Donald Trump stated that his administration’s National Security Strategy lays out a strategic vision for protecting the American people and preserving our way of life, promoting our prosperity, preserving peace through strength, and advancing American inf luence in the world. It sets out to protect the American people, the American way of life and American interest by preventing nuclear, chemical, radiological and biological attacks, block terrorists from reaching our homeland, reduce drug and human trafficking and protect our critical infrastructure
Techniques intended to be used to implement these strategies are listed below:
Secure U.S. Borders and Territory
Defend against weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
Combat Biothreats and Pandemics
Strengthen border control and immigration policy
Pursue threats to their source
Defeat Jidahist Terrorists
Dismantle transnational criminal organization
Keep America safe in the cyber era
Promote American resilience
"Nigerian National Security Strategy 2014" is a publication from the office of the national security adviser- Counter Terrorism Centre. It stated the purpose of its strategy. It states that the purpose of Nigerian National Security Strategy is to guide, organize and harmonise the nation's security policies and efforts. It provides a common framework on which the entire nation should focus its efforts. The threats for which these strategies were designed are listed below:
Global Challenges- includes weak local industries, un-competitiveness of own products and service on the world stage and rising unemployment.
Terrorism
Transnational Organized Crimes
Crude oil theft/ Illegal bunkering
Nigeria borders- irregular migration
Climate change
Communal and Ethno- Religious Conflicts
Politics and Federalism in Nigeria
Governance- governance deficit, weak and inefficient institutions
Pastoralists/farm conflicts
Poverty
Kidnapping
Proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW)
Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
Illegal migration
Economic challenge
Financial crimes
Information Technology and Cyber Security
Natural, Man made and Medical related threats
Environmental security
The techniques set out to counter these threats are as follows:
Engaging the Armed Forces of Nigeria
Engaging the Counter Terrorism Department established in 2011 to counter threats posed by Book Haram
Internal Security
Niger Delta Security
Political Security
Economic Security
Social Security
Food Security
Gender Security
Cultural Security
Engaging Traditional Institutions
Environmental Security
Education Security
Health Security
Science, Technology and Innovation
Space Technology
External Security
Foreign Policy
Information Technology and Cyber Security
Labour Security
Transportation Security
Aviation Security
Maritime Security
Nuclear Security Strategy
Drug Law Security Strategy
Strategic Communication
Youth Security
Crisis Management
Critical National Assets and Infrastructure
CONCLUSION
Strategy, techniques and tactics are dependent on each other. They are used to counter impending or existing threats. Strategies are set out according to the threats faced by individual nations or organizations. STT vary from one natio/organization to the other. Different strategies, techniques and tactics will be drawn out for different situations. Strategies, Techniques and Tactics are expected to be realistic and not just a long piece of unachievable dreams. STT should be time bound.
REFERENCES
Isman, A.I. (2012). Technology and Technology: An Educational Perspective. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 11 (2), 207.
Jonas, R.J. (2000). Real Meaning of Strategy. USA: Handbook of Business Strategy.
Nickols, F.N. (2016). Strategy: Definitions and Meaning. Retrieved from Strategy - Fred Nickols PDFwww.nickols.us › strategy_definitions
Office of the National Security Adviser: Counter Terrorism Centre. (2014). Nigerian National Security Strategy. (1). Retrieved from www.ctc.gov.ng
The White House. (2017). National Security Strategy of the United State of America.(12). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiGrL6Xs97cAhXKJ8AKHSJ9AewQFjAJegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw1k42sk3iAQHCV98dgEnRXF
Wikipedia.(n.d.). Tactics. Retrieved from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactic_(method)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Security Strategy. Retrieved from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Strategy
This paper is an assignment for the course SIS 803. It intends to explain the concept of Strategy, Techniques and Tactics. It also relates these concepts to Security and Intelligence. National Security Strategy of the United States and Nigeria are talking points in this paper.
DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
Strategy
The business dictionary defined strategy as an established, habitual, logical, or prescribed practice or systematic process of achieving certain ends with accuracy and efficiency, usually in an ordered sequence of fixed steps. It is also described as a high level plan to achieve one or more goals under conditions of uncertainty.
Fred Nickols in his book (Strategy: Definitions and Meaning) stated "B.H. Liddell Harts" definition of strategy. Lindell Hart definedmilitary strategy as "the art of distributing and applying military means to fulfil the ends of policy (p.335)." Reading further in Nickols book, he gave Henry Mintzberg's definition of strategy as stated in his book "The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning". Mintzberg pointed out that people use "strategy" in several different ways, the most common being these four (pp.23-27):
1. Strategy is a plan, a "how," a means of getting from here to there.
2. Strategy is a pattern in actions over time; for example, a com-pany that regularly markets very expensive products is using a "high end" strategy.
3. Strategy is position; that is, it reflects decisions to offer particular products or services in particular markets.
4. Strategy is perspective, that is, vision and direction.
Robert Jonas in his book "The Real Meaning of Strategy" also defined strategy in four different categories. They are:
1. Designed strategy
This is probably the most “traditional” kind of strategy, because it is deliberate, defined, and it knows exactly where it’s going. It is also written, with a clear, predetermined aim that is known and communicated to all the individuals within the organization. More so than the other types of strategy, a designed strategy leaves no question as to what path the organization is on.
2. Adaptive strategy
Unlike the designed strategy, an adaptive strategy evolves over time in response to pressures inside and outside the organization. The process usually begins with a loose scenario depicting how to best utilize the company’s resources, and the strategies develop through an ongoing process of trial and error. Even the intended aims can be altered if some new force or factor demands it. Due to their fluid nature, adaptive strategies are well suited to dynamic industries like software development where change is fast, frequent and furious. They also work best when the are “bottom-up” driven, originating and flowing from the management that is closest to the customers.
3. Framed strategy
In contrast to both adaptive and designed strategies, a framed strategy consists of a set of actions with little or no detail. Rather than a defined path, a framed strategy generally starts out with a set of initiatives – loosely defined actions which require individuals to determine their own course in order to achieve the expected result. There isn’t much leadership in a framed strategy, and for this reason it will most likely never achieve results unless it is transformed into either a designed or adaptive strategy.
4.Executed strategy
An executed strategy is simply a designed or adaptive strategy that has formed a consistent pattern of action or behavior over time. In other words, an executed strategy is done, it’s finished, it’s been integrated into the organization’s way of doing things. Provided it is achieving the intended result, there is nothing further to add or subtract from an executed strategy.
Techniques
Technique is a way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure. (Isman 2012) defined technique as :
1. The manner in which technical details are treated… or basic physical movements are used…
2. Also the ability to treat such details or use such movements: a) A body of technical methods
He emphasized that technique in general is described as a method or style of implementing systematic technological knowledge. This general definition of technique includes cultural behaviors as well as human interactions with tools and products associated with human arts, crafts, and skills.
(Hofler 2010) defined technique as the immediate procedure or strategy that is used to implement methods.
Tactics
The business dictionary described tactics as a means by which a strategy is carried out; planned and ad hoc activities meant to deal with the demands of the moment, and to move from one milestone to other in pursuit of the overall goal(s). Tactics is an action that aims to achieve a goal. The term tactics is often confused with strategy. It should be noted that tactics is the means used to achieve a goal or objective while strategy is the general plan set out to achieve an objective.
Defining Strategy, Technique and Tactics in relation to security and intelligence operations
A Security Strategy is a document prepared periodically which outlines the major security concerns of a country or organisation and outlines plans to deal with them. It should be noted that before strategy, techniques and tactics can come in place, there must be an impending danger or threat.
"The National Security Strategy of the United State of America "is a publication of the white house. In its recent issue, President Donald Trump stated that his administration’s National Security Strategy lays out a strategic vision for protecting the American people and preserving our way of life, promoting our prosperity, preserving peace through strength, and advancing American inf luence in the world. It sets out to protect the American people, the American way of life and American interest by preventing nuclear, chemical, radiological and biological attacks, block terrorists from reaching our homeland, reduce drug and human trafficking and protect our critical infrastructure
Techniques intended to be used to implement these strategies are listed below:
Secure U.S. Borders and Territory
Defend against weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
Combat Biothreats and Pandemics
Strengthen border control and immigration policy
Pursue threats to their source
Defeat Jidahist Terrorists
Dismantle transnational criminal organization
Keep America safe in the cyber era
Promote American resilience
"Nigerian National Security Strategy 2014" is a publication from the office of the national security adviser- Counter Terrorism Centre. It stated the purpose of its strategy. It states that the purpose of Nigerian National Security Strategy is to guide, organize and harmonise the nation's security policies and efforts. It provides a common framework on which the entire nation should focus its efforts. The threats for which these strategies were designed are listed below:
Global Challenges- includes weak local industries, un-competitiveness of own products and service on the world stage and rising unemployment.
Terrorism
Transnational Organized Crimes
Crude oil theft/ Illegal bunkering
Nigeria borders- irregular migration
Climate change
Communal and Ethno- Religious Conflicts
Politics and Federalism in Nigeria
Governance- governance deficit, weak and inefficient institutions
Pastoralists/farm conflicts
Poverty
Kidnapping
Proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW)
Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
Illegal migration
Economic challenge
Financial crimes
Information Technology and Cyber Security
Natural, Man made and Medical related threats
Environmental security
The techniques set out to counter these threats are as follows:
Engaging the Armed Forces of Nigeria
Engaging the Counter Terrorism Department established in 2011 to counter threats posed by Book Haram
Internal Security
Niger Delta Security
Political Security
Economic Security
Social Security
Food Security
Gender Security
Cultural Security
Engaging Traditional Institutions
Environmental Security
Education Security
Health Security
Science, Technology and Innovation
Space Technology
External Security
Foreign Policy
Information Technology and Cyber Security
Labour Security
Transportation Security
Aviation Security
Maritime Security
Nuclear Security Strategy
Drug Law Security Strategy
Strategic Communication
Youth Security
Crisis Management
Critical National Assets and Infrastructure
CONCLUSION
Strategy, techniques and tactics are dependent on each other. They are used to counter impending or existing threats. Strategies are set out according to the threats faced by individual nations or organizations. STT vary from one natio/organization to the other. Different strategies, techniques and tactics will be drawn out for different situations. Strategies, Techniques and Tactics are expected to be realistic and not just a long piece of unachievable dreams. STT should be time bound.
REFERENCES
Isman, A.I. (2012). Technology and Technology: An Educational Perspective. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 11 (2), 207.
Jonas, R.J. (2000). Real Meaning of Strategy. USA: Handbook of Business Strategy.
Nickols, F.N. (2016). Strategy: Definitions and Meaning. Retrieved from Strategy - Fred Nickols PDFwww.nickols.us › strategy_definitions
Office of the National Security Adviser: Counter Terrorism Centre. (2014). Nigerian National Security Strategy. (1). Retrieved from www.ctc.gov.ng
The White House. (2017). National Security Strategy of the United State of America.(12). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiGrL6Xs97cAhXKJ8AKHSJ9AewQFjAJegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw1k42sk3iAQHCV98dgEnRXF
Wikipedia.(n.d.). Tactics. Retrieved from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactic_(method)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Security Strategy. Retrieved from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Strategy
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