Five Insights Into Why & How Organizations Should Strive for Better Information Strategies Amid Inauthentic Influences

In an era where information can be weaponized and manipulated with unprecedented ease, understanding and countering Russian information manipulation has become crucial for both government agencies and private sector organizations. Recently, I had the privilege of hosting a webinar featuring two experts from Two Six Technologies: Rebecca Fair, SVP of Information Advantage, and Katrina Keegan, Senior Russia SME. Our discussion delved into the challenges posed by Russian media manipulation and strategies for gaining an information advantage in this complex landscape.

As we kicked off our conversation, I was struck by the depth of expertise brought to the table by both Rebecca and Katrina. Rebecca, who runs the Information Advantage program at Two Six Technologies, shared insights from her extensive background in both public and private sectors. Her team's focus on creating information advantage for clients spans a wide range of activities, from information collection and analysis to active engagement in the information space.

One of the key takeaways from our discussion was the importance of framing the problem of Russian media manipulation correctly. As Rebecca pointed out, this isn't just about countering individual pieces of manipulated information; it's about understanding and responding to a systematic effort to shape narratives and influence perceptions on a global scale. As part of the webinar, we explored three main strategies for countering Russian information manipulation:

• Speed on offense and anticipating preplanned events: This approach emphasizes the need for proactive measures, staying ahead of manipulation campaigns by anticipating and quickly responding to emerging narratives.
• Leading with truth: In an environment saturated with false information, the power of accurate, reliable data cannot be overstated. By consistently providing truthful information, organizations can build trust and resilience against manipulation efforts.
• Leveraging local language and cultural contexts: To effectively counter Russian information manipulation, messages must resonate with target audiences. This requires a deep understanding of local languages, cultures, and social dynamics.

One of the most intriguing aspects of our conversation was the exploration of curation methods for monitoring online conversations. The experts emphasized the importance of balancing focused topic monitoring with enough "noise" to catch unexpected emerging issues. This approach allows organizations to stay on top of known threats while remaining agile enough to identify new trends or topics that may become significant.

A critical point raised during our discussion was the need to systematically contextualize inauthentic influence. By doing so, organizations can more effectively prioritize their resources in the fight against Russian information manipulation. This systematic approach is essential given the scale and complexity of modern information warfare. Katrina's expertise on Russian tactics also provided valuable context to our discussion. She highlighted how Moscow has been adapting its messaging strategies, including an increased focus on Arabic-language content.

This shift underscores the need for a global perspective when addressing information manipulation challenges.

For senior executives in both government agencies and private sector corporations navigating an increasingly complex information landscape, it's clear that gaining and maintaining an information advantage requires a multifaceted approach. By combining technological solutions with deep cultural and contextual understanding, organizations can better position themselves to counter Russian information manipulation and protect their interests in an increasingly interconnected world. The insights from this webinar offer five several key considerations into why and how organizations can seek better information strategies amid inauthentic influences, specifically:

1. Invest in robust information monitoring and analysis capabilities that can provide both focused insights and broad situational awareness.
2. Develop strategies that prioritize speed, truth, and cultural relevance in your communications.
3. Foster cross-cultural competencies within your teams to better understand and counter global information manipulation efforts.
4. Implement systems for contextualizing and prioritizing threats in the information space.
5. Stay adaptable and ready to evolve your strategies as adversaries change their tactics.

As we concluded our discussion, the parallels between Russian media manipulation tactics in different global contexts became strikingly clear. Katrina, our Senior Russia SME, highlighted Moscow's adaptive approach, exemplified by their shift in messaging strategy during the Gaza conflict. She noted that over 80% of Russian state media posts about Gaza were in Arabic, demonstrating their agility in targeting specific audiences and exploiting emerging global events. This tactic mirrors their ongoing information operations regarding Ukraine, where they've shown a remarkable ability to pivot between multiple global issues while maintaining consistent anti-US narratives.

The sophisticated nature of these operations underscores the interconnected nature of global information flows.

Russia leverages multiple conflicts to advance strategic narratives across diverse regions and languages, as seen in their framing of both the Gaza and Ukraine situations. This realization emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, nuanced approach to information advantage. Organizations and governments must develop strategies that can swiftly identify and respond to shifting tactics across various linguistic and cultural contexts. Such an approach requires not only advanced monitoring and analysis technologies but also deep cultural and linguistic expertise to effectively counter these evolving information manipulation efforts.

Moreover, the challenges posed by Russian media manipulation and other forms of information warfare are significant, but they are not insurmountable. With the right strategies, tools, and expertise, it is possible to gain an information advantage and navigate these turbulent waters successfully. As leaders in your respective fields, I encourage you to take these insights to heart and consider how you can implement them within your own organizations.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude to Rebecca Fair and Katrina Keegan for sharing their invaluable insights. Their expertise not only illuminated the challenges we face but also provided a roadmap for moving forward. As we continue to grapple with these issues, collaboration and knowledge-sharing among experts like Rebecca and Katrina will be crucial in our collective effort to maintain information integrity and security in an increasingly complex world.