CYBERSEC Disinfo Meeting 2024

• N/A

• Marietta Gieroń – Chairwoman of the Programme Committee of CYBERSEC and Co-director of the project
• Duncan Thomson – Senior Advisor, CRDF Global

Opening keynote

ADDRESSING FAKE NEWS: BEHAVIORAL TOOLS TO COUNTER SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE

Clear strategic communication is essential for combating disinformation because it builds trust, provides effective counter-narratives, enhances public awareness, coordinates responses, mitigates harm, and fosters critical thinking. It ensures that accurate information prevails over falsehoods and supports the integrity of public discourse. It is the foundation of strong partnerships as it facilitates collaboration, which is necessary in the fight against disinformation. This keynote will emphasize the vital role which strategic communication plays in bolstering the fight against disinformation and why it should be prioritized.

• Riccardo Viale – Scientific Coordinator, Italy Behavioral Insights at Prime Minister Department of Civil Service

Case study

INFORMATION DISORDER DURING EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS

Elections remain a vulnerable target for disinformation actors. They permit malicious actors to influence a nation’s politics in their favour all while remaining anonymous. With the European Parliament elections affecting not one, but multiple countries, they become a prime target for disinformation actors. This presentation will delve into the lessons learned from the 2024 European Parliament elections, examining the various forms of information disorder that emerged, including disinformation, misinformation, malinformation, and propaganda.

• Susana Dragomir – Researcher, Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca

Case study

DISINFORMATION, FAKES, AND INFORMATION MANIPULATION: A KEY TOOL OF RUSSIAN MILITARY AGGRESSION

Russian war propaganda in Ukraine and towards the West takes on distinct forms, tailored to exploit local vulnerabilities and shape narratives in different ways. This keynote will explore how Russia tactically uses disinformation—through media manipulation, fabricated news, and weaponized historical narratives—not only to influence public perception but also to hinder Ukrainian military coordination and morale. The session will analyze the broader impact on domestic audience, highlighting how these tactics distort reality, erode trust, and destabilize both Ukrainian society and military efforts.

• Oleh Skoryk – Head of Directorate, Cyber Department, Security Service of Ukraine

Panel discussion

AI IN DISINFORMATION: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING IN SPREADING DISINFORMATION

This panel discussion addresses the growing impact of generative AI on the spread of disinformation. As AI technologies advance, they increasingly enable the creation of highly convincing false narratives that can distort public perception and undermine trust. The session will examine how generative AI tools contribute to the dissemination of misinformation, the challenges they pose to information integrity, and potential strategies for countering their influence. The conversation will highlight the complexities of this issue, and the innovative approaches needed to address the evolving landscape of digital deception.

• Jakub Śliż – President of Stowarzyszenie Pravda
• Lars Ruth – Partner | Defense, Security & Justice | Sector Lead, Deloitte
• Dr inż. Marek Kozłowski – Head of AI LAB, National Information Processing Institute
• Peter Jančárik – Project Coordinator, (Anti-Disinformation), Seznam.cz
• HOST: Jasper Jackson – Investigative Journalist, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism

Fireside chat

DISINFORMATION AND ELECTION SECURITY: HOW TO PROTECT ELECTIONS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

This panel discussion aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to protect the integrity of elections. The discussion will focus on the role of social media in spreading disinformation, the need for transparency in political advertising, and the significance of media literacy to empower citizens. Protecting democratic processes in the digital age, especially against disinformation, requires a multifaceted approach involving technology, policy, and public awareness. By leveraging technology, enforcing regulations, raising public awareness, holding platforms accountable, securing election infrastructure, and establishing robust response mechanisms, we can protect the integrity of elections and maintain public trust in democratic institutions.

• Michał Marek – Founder of the Research Center for Contemporary Security Environmen
• Galyna Petrenko – Director, Detector Media
• Patrick Szicherle – Research Fellow in GLOBSEC’s Democracy and Resilience Programme
• HOST: Eliza Kotowska – Analyst & Project Coordinator, Kościuszko Institute

Keynote speech

LESSONS LEARNED: INSIDE BULGARIA’S “MUSHROOM MACHINE”

Mushroom websites are a network of media platforms primarily focused on disseminating disinformation, propaganda, and fake news. Bulgaria has long grappled with pro-Russian disinformation campaigns, and recent studies have highlighted the role of Bulgarian mushroom sites in spreading false information on a large scale. These websites incentivize users to register and share news articles on social media in exchange for money, a tactic that not only accelerates the spread of disinformation but also monetizes it. This speech will explore this phenomenon in depth and discuss the key insights gained from examining Bulgaria’s mushroom disinformation machine.

• Dr. Todor Galev – Director of Research, Center for the Study of Democracy

Keynote speech

FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL TO SOCIAL IMPACT OF DISINFORMATION: UNDERSTANDING AND MITIGATING THE EFFECTS ON SOCIETY

False information can manipulate emotions, shape perceptions, and polarize communities. It has a significant impact on mental health, trust in institutions, and social cohesion. This keynote will explore how disinformation is used to achieve these goals and the strategies for mitigating these effects, such as promoting media literacy, fostering critical thinking, and enhancing community resilience. Understanding the methods and impacts allows us to call for comprehensive efforts to protect societal well-being from the detrimental effects of disinformation.

• Stephan Lewandowsky – Professor, University of Bristol

Presentation

HACKTIVISM AND INFLUENCE OPERATIONS

This presentation will delve into the world of hacktivism, examining how digital attacks from hacktivist groups can be understood as influence operations. By analyzing their tactics, motivations, and impact, the session will highlight how hacktivists use cyberattacks not only to disrupt but to shape public opinion and advance specific social or political agendas. The discussion will explore how these groups deploy targeted digital actions to spread narratives, influence perceptions, and shift power dynamics, often blurring the lines between activism and manipulation in the digital space.

• Daniel Leu – Cyber Intelligence Researcher, CYSCOE

Keynote speech

DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE CURRICULUM TO COMBAT DISINFORMATION: BEST PRACTICES

In an age where disinformation rapidly spreads through digital platforms, it is essential to develop a robust educational curriculum that equips the public with the skills to critically evaluate the information they encounter. This keynote speech will focus on best practices for crafting such a curriculum, drawing from successful initiatives and research. Attendees will gain insights into integrating critical thinking, media literacy, and digital competencies into educational programs, ensuring that the public is prepared to identify and challenge false information. By sharing practical strategies and case studies, this speech aims to inspire educators, policymakers, and disinformation experts to build comprehensive educational frameworks that strengthen the resilience of future generations against the threats of disinformation.

• Patryk Zakrzewski – Vice President of the Management Board, Demagog

Case study

CASE STUDY: THE LUBLIN TRIANGLE PERSPECTIVE

This case study delves into a comprehensive report on Russian disinformation campaigns, primarily focusing on Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine in addition to Moldova. Following the report, the presenters will first dissect the tactics, actors, and procedures used by the Kremlin to destabilize these nations before providing country-specific examples from Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine. An insight into the disinformation landscape in Moldova, further expands on the region’s struggle against external interference. This report not only offers critical insights but also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, particularly within the Lublin Triangle and Moldova, in effectively combating disinformation.

• Kamil Mikulski – Senior Innovation Research Analyst, IN2
• Michał Krawczyk – Consultant & Data Analyst, Instytut Kościuszki external expert

Keynote speech

THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF AI IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

This keynote will explore the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence within the realm of information technologies. As AI systems increasingly shape how information is created, shared, and consumed, they carry the potential to both enhance and disrupt information environments. This talk will examine best practices for implementing AI in ways that prioritize transparency, reduce biases, and safeguard against misuse. Attendees will gain insights into the implications of AI-driven information technologies on society and the responsibilities of stakeholders in maintaining trust and accuracy in digital communications.

• Jana Novohradska – Ministerial appointee, non-executive committee for the ethics and regulation of Artificial Intelligence CERAI

Keynote speech

GENDER AND IDENTITY-BASED DISINFORMATION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The speaker will present her recent research findings on gender and identity-based disinformation (GiD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, revealing how nearly 60% of GiD targets women and over 40% focuses on LGBTIQ individuals. The speech will explore how GiD is strategically used to discredit marginalized communities and fuel anti-Western narratives that portray the West as a threat to traditional values. Highlighting the essential role of public awareness in countering GiD, this keynote will provide insights on building resilience and counteracting harmful narratives that shape perceptions of gender and identity.

• Nerma Šehović – Researcher, Raskrinkavanje

Expert conversation

FROM FAKE NEWS TO CYBER WARFARE: UNDERSTANDING DISINFORMATION AS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT

In an era where disinformation is increasingly replacing reliable information, the very foundation of democratic decision-making is at risk. Despite widespread access to information, the challenge of discerning truth from falsehood has escalated, turning the spread of misleading content into a significant national threat. Disinformation, long used as a tool by governments, has now merged with cyber warfare to create a powerful weapon. This fireside chat will explore the alarming convergence of fake news and cyber tactics, highlighting how these combined forces erode trust, destabilize societies, and pose critical challenges to national security.

• Tomáš Kriššák – Senior Stratcom Consultant, Gerulata Technologies
• HOST: Svetoslav Malinov – Analyst, Economic Program, Center for the Study of Democracy

Presentation

WORKSHOP ON RESIST 2

This workshop will demonstrate the selected tools for countering disinformation based on RESIST 2 – practical dimension. RESIST stands for Recognize mis- and disinformation, early warning, situational insight, impact analysis, strategic communication, and tracking effectiveness and its goal is to support governments in effectively reducing the impact of mis- and disinformation. The following workshop will demonstrate how this toolkit can help organizations protect their employees and audiences from such threats.

• Krzysztof Sierański – CEO, Stillsec
• Joanna Kowalczyk – FBI, Poland

• Duncan Thomson – Senior Advisor, CRDF Global
• Krzysztof Sierański – CEO, Stillsec