As Lt. Col. David M. Beskow and Dr. Kathleen M. Carley note in their article, “Social Cybersecurity: An Emerging National Security Requirement,” social cybersecurity is an ever-more-important aspect in the modern age of warfare. In summary, the authors describe social cybersecurity as a new field of research for the study of cyber-mediated behaviors that impact human activity and social outcomes, where technology plays a key role in shaping information that affects public perception and trust.

The article highlights the ways our adversaries use information warfare to undermine trust in our national institutions and societal cohesion. It introduces the BEND maneuvers, such as Bypassing, Exploiting, Nudging, and Disrupting, which are tactics to influence information and beliefs. The authors also discuss botnet usage as force multipliers for disinformation spread.

In response to these threats, the authors argue that society needs to build resilience through greater media literacy, critical thinking, and public education around disinformation techniques. They also recommend preventive measures to combat misinformation and strengthen national values.

This article is an important reminder of the changing nature of cybersecurity, where the human aspect is just as important as technological defenses. In the digital age, addressing social cybersecurity is critical to protecting national security.

References:

Beskow, D. M., & Carley, K. M. (2019). Social cybersecurity: An emerging national security requirement. Military Review. https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/Mar-Apr-2019/117-Cybersecurity/b/