conference paper
Information operations: The use of information weapons in the 2016 US presidential election
Abstract
The use of weaponized information, as part of a larger information operation, in the US 2016 Presidential election suggests a well-executed information operation. Recognizing that weaponized information causes several reactionary behaviours, the use of this weapon along with the timing, and volume of the information has several commonalities with a successful well-planned information operation. This case study examines first, the definition of information weaponization and the requirements or conditions necessary for the operation to be effective. The researchers draw the distinction between propaganda, and weaponized information. Next the researchers map events and outcomes of the various events to the five goals of information weaponization to, confuse, blackmail, demoralize, subvert, and paralyze. The unique nature of the cyber environment makes information weaponization possible and effective. In some cases, the message amplification actually countered reality so strongly that the untrue appeared real. Since the election the term "fake news" was added to the lexicon, a reflection of the success of weaponized information in the successful information operation The researchers examined news events and the poll results immediately following the news events. They also measured the time interval between the release of news events, the subsequent poll numbers to measure the amplification and impact of each of the events. The values were trended over the months of the election cycle. The results showed many consistencies with a wellplanned and executed information operation in support of hybrid warfare. The use of weaponized information and the results were consistent with the goals of information weaponization and serve as a warning that weaponized information, while used in the geo-political realm for this case, can be successfully used in other environments and represent a new area of research in cyber security.
Author keywords
cognitive hacking, hybrid warfare, information operations, weaponized information