The Challenge Of Disinformation For National Security

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 5, 2025, 7:12 PM

the challenge of disinformation for national security

Part of the book series: Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications ((ASTSA)) This chapter provides an analysis of the implications of disinformation for national security. It examines the factors that make open societies particularly vulnerable, the actors that orchestrate disinformation campaigns and their strategic motivations. It also suggests possible ways forward to counter the challenge. It is argued that disinformation campaigns seek to undermine cohesion within democratic societies by sowing doubt, promoting confusion, and fostering division. The erosion of social trust aggravates political polarization, hinders governance, and provides fertile ground for extremisms.

The sociopolitical circumstances in several Western societies, already polarized and immersed in the post-truth era, make them particularly predisposed to disinformation. Moreover, when used by states against foreign audiences, disinformation campaigns may aim at diminishing the international competitiveness of rival states, on the one hand, and produce on the other hand more amenable societies that... Therefore, it is concluded that in the international arena disinformation is employed as a subtle, low-cost alternative to try to achieve gradual relative power gains at the expense of the rivals. This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access. Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout @Policy (2018).

Update on Twitter’s review of the 2016 US election. Twitter Blog. Retrieved from https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/topics/company/2018/2016-election-update.html As U.S. adversaries are aligning their disinformation narratives, America’s choice to unilaterally disarm places its citizens at risk. To address this vulnerability, the U.S.

should pre-emptively counter false narratives and build its collective cognitive defenses. Read More The American Security Project (ASP) is proud to announce the appointment of three distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors. Read More Breadcrumbs Section. Click here to navigate to respective pages.

DOI link for Routledge Handbook of Disinformation and National Security Routledge Handbook of Disinformation and National Security This interdisciplinary Handbook provides an in-depth analysis of the complex security phenomenon of disinformation and offers a toolkit to counter such tactics. Disinformation used to propagate false, inexact or out of context information is today a frequently used tool of political manipulation and information warfare, both online and offline. This Handbook evidences a historical thread of continuing practices and modus operandi in overt state propaganda and covert information operations. Further, it attempts to unveil current methods used by propaganda actors, the inherent vulnerabilities they exploit in the fabric of democratic societies and, last but not least, to highlight current practices in countering disinformation...

The Rising Tide of Disinformation: A Threat to Democratic Integrity In an era defined by the rapid dissemination of information, the insidious spread of disinformation has emerged as a significant challenge to democratic societies worldwide. While the tangible impact of these manipulative campaigns remains a subject of ongoing research, the pervasive uncertainty surrounding their influence fuels anxiety and complicates effective policymaking. The recent exposure of the "Storm-1516" operation, a Kremlin-linked network disseminating fabricated news stories in Germany, serves as a stark reminder of the potential for foreign actors to exploit the digital landscape and sow... This operation, targeting the 2025 German Bundestag elections with false narratives about Kenyan migrant workers and Bundeswehr deployments, highlights the sophisticated tactics employed by malicious actors to manipulate public opinion and undermine trust in... The pervasiveness of disinformation anxieties is reflected in public opinion surveys across the globe.

A staggering 84% of Germans express concerns about disinformation, echoing similar sentiments in other countries navigating the complexities of electoral processes. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, a prominent assessment of global challenges, has elevated disinformation and misinformation to the top of its list of short-term risks, surpassing even armed conflicts and environmental disasters... This dramatic rise in concern highlights the growing recognition of disinformation’s potential to destabilize societies and erode public trust. The fact that disinformation was absent from the top ten risks just a few years prior underscores the rapid escalation of this threat in the global consciousness. Navigating the Uncertain Terrain of Disinformation’s Impact Despite the widespread alarm, the empirical evidence surrounding disinformation’s direct influence on political outcomes remains complex and often inconclusive.

While some studies suggest a correlation between exposure to disinformation and shifts in voting behavior, others point to the resilience of pre-existing political beliefs and the limited impact of fabricated narratives on actual electoral... This uncertainty stems from the multifaceted nature of political decision-making, which is influenced by a complex interplay of factors beyond simply the consumption of online content. Socioeconomic conditions, personal experiences, and established political affiliations often play a more significant role in shaping individual voting preferences. As we step into 2025, the cybersecurity landscape has evolved beyond traditional threats like malware and phishing. A new menace looms large—disinformation. This insidious threat leverages false information to manipulate, disrupt, and undermine organizational integrity, public trust, and even national security.

For IT decision-makers, the challenge is clear: to understand, anticipate, and combat disinformation with strategic precision. Disinformation, defined as deliberately false or misleading information spread with malicious intent, has become one of the most popular attack vectors in recent times. Its rapid dissemination is facilitated by social media platforms, deepfakes, and even AI-generated content. Unlike traditional cybersecurity threats that target systems, disinformation targets perception, eroding trust in institutions, brands, and information itself. In the past, disinformation was often used to distort democratic processes, influence elections, and undermine trust in public institutions and journalism. It played a significant role in deepening societal divides and damaging the reputations of public figures, including political leaders.

Today, disinformation has shifted focus, seeping into the corporate world. Criminal organizations and sophisticated threat actors now harness these deceptive tactics, utilizing the same strategies and dissemination channels that once served political disinformation campaigns to compromise businesses. In a notable case of disinformation, a forged memo purportedly shared by the United States Department of Defense claimed that the planned acquisition of a tech company by a leading semiconductor firm had raised... Among other significant incidents, during the global vaccine rollout, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer faced disinformation campaigns questioning the efficacy and safety of its vaccines. These campaigns not only threatened public health but also affected stock prices and corporate credibility. The need for robust disinformation security measures became evident as companies grappled with countering false narratives in real time.

Disinformation represents a multifaceted threat that extends beyond simple falsehoods. It manipulates perceptions, influences decisions, and sows confusion, which can destabilize not only individual organizations but also broader economic and social systems. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of the tactics and technologies employed in spreading disinformation.

The Challenge Of Disinformation For National Security

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DOI Link For Routledge Handbook Of Disinformation And National Security