National Security Insights from 2017

The only constant in the national security threat environment is change and some of the incidents we witnessed during 2017 only served to reinforce this notion. My team at the Conference Board of Canada explored a number of interesting themes during the course of 2017, from new technology threats to national security and right-wing violent extremism to the impact of terrorism on emergency management. You can access some of the national security insights we have developed over the course of 2017 through the links below.

For me, one of the key national security themes we explored in 2017 which concerned me the most was the issue of fake news. Fake news can involve a combination of misinformation (false or incorrect information that is spread intentionally or unintentionally without realizing it is untrue) and disinformation (intentionally false or misleading information that is spread in a calculated way to deceive target audiences), usually spread through on-line networks such as social media. Over the course of 2017, there have been numerous articles published on fake news, including a document from Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE) on the threat this phenomenon could pose to Canada’s democratic process. These tools are also becoming more accessible with services now available on the dark web to generate and disseminate fake news stories.

From the challenge fake news poses to democratic processes and its use in influence operations by state actors to its utilization by a range of extremist groups, this phenomenon is only going to grow and morph over the coming years. For me, this will be one of the key challenges for national security in 2018 and beyond.

The Growing Threat of Fake News

On the anniversary of 9/11, it's time to expand our definition of 'victim'

Should We Broaden Canada’s Priorities Around Terrorism?

Building Resilience to Terrorism

The State of Information and Intelligence Sharing in Canada

Insights on Emergency Response to Terrorism Events

The End of Secrets - Conflict in The Engagement Age

Emergency Response to Terrorism Events: Six Key Insights

Fighting Extremism: Counter-radicalization and the “Danish Model”

Confronting active shooter

Hybrid Warfare: New Challenges to Old Paradigms

Fake News Podcast

Social media training and community support are keys to terrorist-attack response

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