Risk analysis of disinformation weaponized against critical networks

Abstract

The vulnerability of critical networks to disinformation creates significant risks of disruption with potentially severe societal consequences. Maintaining secure and resilient networks, including infrastructure and supply chain networks, is important for ensuring economic productivity along with securing the health and well-being of society. An over-the-horizon threat to critical networks deals with adversaries who attack such networks indirectly by altering the consumption behavior of unwitting users influenced by weaponized disinformation. The proliferation of disinformation through various online platforms could pose a significant and evolving challenge able to compromise the resilience of critical networks. In this perspectives article, we review the literature in this area and offer some future research directions aimed at protecting networks from weaponized disinformation, enhancing their robustness, resilience, and adaptability.

Keywords: critical networks; disinformation; disruptions; infrastructure; misinformation.