; Public Law 112–239 ). F Other matters 1681. Matters relating to military operations in the information environment (a) Affirming the authority of the Secretary of Defense to conduct military operations in the information environment (1) In general Chapter 19 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 397. Military operations in the information environment (a) Affirmation of authority (1) Congress affirms that the Secretary of Defense is authorized to conduct military operations, including clandestine operations, in the information environment to defend the United States, allies of the United States, and interests of the United States, including in response to malicious influence activities carried out against the United States or a United States person by a foreign power. (2) The military operations referred to in paragraph (1), when appropriately authorized include the conduct of military operations short of hostilities and in areas outside of areas of active hostilities for the purpose of preparation of the environment, influence, force protection, and deterrence of hostilities. (b) Treatment of clandestine military operations in the information environment as traditional military activities A clandestine military operation in the information environment shall be considered a traditional military activity for the purposes of section 503(e)(2) of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3093(e)(2) ). (c) Quarterly information operations briefings (1) Not less frequently than once each quarter, the Secretary of Defense shall provide the congressional defense committees a briefing on significant military operations, including all clandestine operations in the information environment, carried out by the Department of Defense during the immediately preceding quarter. (2) Each briefing under subsection (1) shall include, with respect to the military operations in the information environment described in such paragraph, the following: (A) An update, disaggregated