Author(s): Matteo E. BONFANTI
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: December 31, 2018
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 19-20/2018
DOI:
Abstract
The paper describes an intelligence-based approach to identify, understand and
counter influence operations and campaigns that are sponsored, directed, or conducted
by State or non-state actors on/through social media platforms. It examines the extent
to which the collection and analysis of social media data and further contextual
information can provide actionable insight into influence-aimed activities perpetrated
by both State and non-state actors. It also discusses how to employ such insight for
tailoring effective counter-measures at the operational, tactical and strategic levels. The
paper starts by conceptually framing social media platforms and services as tools for
exercising influence – or cyber-influence/persuasion – over a target. For this purpose, it
examines the notions of “influence operations” and/or “campaigns”, presents their
featuring elements, and shortly discusses if, how and to what extent they have changed
or are changing due to the emergence of the cyber-space and new technological
platforms. The study benefits from the review of the recently available literature
dedicated to the employment of social media for influence purposes as well as the
examination of few selected and documented case studies. Then the paper examines the
crafting of intelligence on influence operations form social media data and metadata, in
particular on actors engaging in these operations, their employed capabilities, modus
operandi, intended goals as well as the operational constraints they face. It outlines the
collection and analytical techniques serving the purpose of producing social media
intelligence, presents their general advantages and limits, and highlights the challenge
of enriching the knowledge on influence operations with further contextual information
and intelligence. The paper concludes by proposing recommendations on how to
implement the intelligence-based approach to countering influence operations or
campaigns over social media in an effective manner. These include the acquisition of the
necessary capabilities (human, technological, and organisational) to monitor and analyse
social media information. They also include the definition of a framework to better
integrate intelligence from social media in to a consistent all-source intelligence system.
Keywords: Influence, Social media, Cyber-influence, Intelligence, Counter-
Intelligence.
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