Defence leaders, industry experts, academics and international partners gathered in Adelaide from July 21 to 24 for the Global Information Summit Australia 2026 (GISA26), underscoring a growing reality for modern warfare: information no longer supports operations – it is the operation.

Building on the momentum of the 2024 Global Information Conference, GISA26 attendees and spokespeople aimed to develop practical solutions to the challenges emerging in an increasingly contested information environment. 

They examined the convergence of cyber, influence, intelligence, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, while highlighting the importance of partnerships and workforce development in building future capability.

Representing Commander Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Deputy Commander Joint Operations Major General Hugh McAslan delivered a keynote address on the integration of information across joint operations.

He emphasised that information has become a decisive element of national power and operational effectiveness, with modern competition increasingly defined by the ability to integrate information, cyber capabilities, intelligence, military force, government policy, industry expertise and international partnerships.

“The challenge is no longer information scarcity, the challenge is information coherence,” Major General McAslan said.

“For the Australian Defence Force, this means we must integrate information considerations throughout operational design – not treat them as supporting activities, but recognise them as a central component of operational effectiveness. Information is no longer simply something that informs operations. Increasingly, information is the operation.”

'Strategic advantage will increasingly belong to those who can connect information, people, authorities and capabilities faster and more effectively than their competitors.'

Major General McAslan emphasised that strategic advantage increasingly depends on the speed of understanding, decision-making and action, noting that waiting for the perfect solution is no longer an option.

“The side that understands first, decides first and acts first, often gains disproportionate advantage,” Major General McAslan said.

“Strategic advantage will increasingly belong to those who can connect information, people, authorities and capabilities faster and more effectively than their competitors.

“We need an integrated effort across the five services – Navy, Army, Air Force, the Australian Public Service and contractors/industry. The future will not be secured by isolated excellence. It will be secured through collective excellence.”

Major General McAslan's message reflected a broader shift in Joint Operations Command's approach towards information-led joint operations, where decision advantage, interoperability and resilience are essential to maintaining an operational edge.

It also reinforces the need to integrate information considerations into operational planning from the outset and strengthening collaboration across government, industry, academia and international partners.

'Information is no longer simply something that informs operations. Increasingly, information is the operation.'

Opening the second day of the summit, Director of the Information Advantage Centre of Excellence (IACOE) Group Captain Michael Burgess-Orton amplified Major General McAslan’s comments by highlighting the growing importance of Information Operations (IO) within the 2026 National Defence Strategy.

“Australia's strategic environment is increasingly characterised by grey-zone competition, coercion and contests for influence,” Group Captain Burgess-Orton said.

“The question is no longer whether information shapes conflict. The evidence is overwhelming that it does. The question is whether we will adapt quickly enough to compete in an environment where information is increasingly a source of power and advantage.”

He outlined IACOE's role in generating information advantage for the integrated force, including developing and uplifting doctrine, professionalising the ADF’s IO workforce through a new technical mastery framework, and building capability through a future joint information advantage unit.

“Under the authority of Chief of Joint Capabilities, we are bringing together previously separate areas of human-centred expertise into a professional, all-service capability designed to provide commanders with better decisions, improved positioning and greater operational impact,” Group Captain Burgess-Orton said.

Following four days of building a stronger and more connected information profession across Australia and allied nations, the summit's central message was clear: success in contemporary conflict depends on the ability to integrate information, people, authorities and capabilities faster and more effectively than competitors. This includes stronger links with industry and academia.

For the Australian Defence Force specifically, it means considering the information environment from the outset of planning, rather than as an adjunct to operations, and reinforces that information advantage is a core warfighting function.