In this amazing episode of “DisinfoHacks Podcast”, we have an illuminating conversation on the intertwining challenges of disinformation and cybersecurity. This insightful discussion delves into disinformation and cybersecurity Alicia Fawcett underscores the inextricable connection between them, and emphasizes the fact that some disinformation originates from cybersecurity experts who possess the technical skills to create disseminate malicious content. The role of AI in dissinformation and cybersecurity is being highlighted and Alicia Fawcett helps us understand the geopolitical dynamics and the influence of major powers in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Last but not least, we dive into the absence of global laws fighting disinformation and the great importance of collaboration and information sharing to address cybersecurity common threats and to effectively tackle these multifaceted issues.
Participants:
Alicia Fawcett, Visiting Professor, NYU Cyber Fellow, Cybersecurity & International Affairs,McKinsey & Co Affairs
Betty Tsakarestou, Associate Professor and Head of ADandPRLAB at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece
Katerina Beli, Political Communication Strategist
Jelina Makrantonaki, Journalist
Moderator: Aurra Kawanzaruwa, Manager of DCN AFRICA
Outstanding quotes
Alicia:
“Disinformation and cybersecurity are one and the same cyber security threats create disinformation and disinformation also creates cybersecurity threats they are very linked with each other.”
“ A lot of disinformation comes from cybersecurity experts, understanding how to create malicious material by using social media as a vehicle to disseminate fake information or interfere with a country's domestic affairs. You need to be someone to tech savvy to create fake accounts, to know how to outsource certain elements of the disinformation process. It’s really important that the public becomes educated in cyber security, in order to even analyze and understand what is being disseminated into cyberspace.”
“The newest and hottest topic right now is AI and AI cybersecurity threats and how AI is also influencing disinformation and it’s something that we should definitely been paying attention to, because AI does not have an understanding of what is right and wrong and so, AI is also a creator of disinformation so if you don’t use this correctly and understand and create norms around AI Ethics. Also, when we are developing these AI tools we should be looking at implementing data privacy and other ethical controls. We need to realize AI can be creating misinformation and also come up with solutions to fight this misinformation.”
“When we realize we have common threats in our cybersecurity space and understand it is a technical problem and not a cultural or political problem. If we share information about the cybersecurity threats, we can make better solutions to these challenges. So, being more collaborative and sharing more information is really the key.”
DisinfoHacks Project is an innovative training program that brings together partners expertise, engaging an ecosystem of communication and media stakeholders, startup innovators and influencers in identifying, assessing, and combating disinformation." Organized by DCN Global, #ADandPRLAB, YET, funded by U.S. Department of State and U.S. Mission in Greece, supported by Found.ation and SocialInnov.