text: Request for Support
  REQUESTING CYBERSPACE EFFECTS (ECHELON CORPS AND
  BELOW)
  E-15. CERF is the format corps and below units use to request cyberspace support. Support in response to a
  CERF may come from joint cyberspace forces such as the combat mission teams, from other joint or Service
  capabilities, or Service-retained cyberspace forces.
  EFFECTS APPROVAL AT ECHELONS CORPS AND BELOW
  E-16. During the operations process at echelons corps and below, the commander and staff identify the
  effects desired in and through cyberspace to support operations against specific targets. If the requesting and
  higher echelons determine that a current capability is insufficient, the commander and staff approve and
  processes the CERF. The routing process continues to each echelon until the CERF reaches the joint force
  land component command it is converted to an RFS, and forwarded to the JTF headquarters. The CERF
  approval process at echelons corps and below follow the below steps—
  * Identify targets of cyberspace effects.
  * Verify if organic capabilities can create desired effects.
  * Approve target for cyberspace effects.
  * Forward to next higher Army echelon for deconfliction and synchronization.
  * Verify if other organic capabilities can create desired effects if organic cyberspace capabilities do
  not exist.
  * If current capabilities fulfill the requirement, synchronize operations.
  * If current capabilities do not fulfill the requirement, approve target for cyberspace effects.
  * Forward to next higher Army echelon for approval until CERF enters the joint process.
  * Synchronize operation with cyberspace effect (if possible).
  Note. The joint force land component command may require the requesting corps to convert the
  CERF to an RFS format before submitting it into the joint process.
  EFFECTS APPROVAL AT ECHELONS ABOVE CORPS
  E-17. Cyberspace operations provide a means by which Army forces can achieve periods or instances of
  cyberspace superiority to create effects to support the commander’s objectives. Cyberspace attack
  capabilities are tailored to create specific effects and must be planned, prepared, and executed using existing
  processes and procedures. Commander and staff at all echelons apply additional measures for determining
  where, when, and how to use cyberspace effects.
  E-18. Commanders and staff at each echelon will coordinate and collaborate regardless of whether the
  cyberspace operation is directed from higher headquarters or requested from subordinate units. The Army
  intelligence process, informed by the joint intelligence process, provides the necessary analysis and products
  from which targets are vetted and validated, and aim points are derived. As a result of the IPB process, and
  in collaboration with the joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment process, intelligence
  personnel develop network topologies for enemy, adversary, and host nation technical networks.
  E-19. Targets determined during the planning process are described broadly as physical and logical entities
  in cyberspace consisting of one or more networked devices used by enemy and adversary actors. The G-2
  may label these targets as named areas of interest and target areas of interest. Additionally, an analysis of
  friendly force networks will inform the development of critical information and provide a basis for
  establishing key terrain in cyberspace. Critical network nodes are key terrain in cyberspace. They include
  those physical and logical entities in friendly force technical networks of such extraordinary importance that
  any disruption in their operation would have debilitating effects on accomplishing the mission.
  E-20. As part of CEMA, the staff will perform a key role in target network node analysis. While determining
  cyberspace attack effect-types for targets and defensive measures for critical network nodes, the CEMA