The evolution of technology and the use of active measures enables information operations to strike deeper and more efficiently into the heart of democratic systems. These operations target voters, political campaigns, and the very democratic institutions that seek to uphold free speech and freedom of information. Disinformation is not new. However, today’s digitized and networked reality allows for precise targeting of manipulated messaging, at scale, and with lightning speed. This new technology brings unprecedented levels of risk to election security and threatens the integrity of the electoral process.
To speak on the historical and current challenges of political warfare and disinformation and what is being done to address these threats, IST hosted this high-level event featuring Nell Thomas, the Chief Technology Officer for the Democratic National Committee (DNC); Thomas Rid, a renowned expert on disinformation and information technology and author of Active Measures; and Vera Zakem, Senior Technology and Policy Advisor for IST. Moderated by Mike McNerney, IST’s board chair, and the Chief Operating Officer of Arceo, this conversation will cover active measures, the history of information operations, the evolution of modern disinformation campaigns, and their implications for today’s election security.
SPEAKERS:
Nell Thomas, Chief Technology Officer, Democratic National Committee (DNC)
Thomas Rid, Professor of Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and Author of Active Measures
Vera Zakem, Senior Technology and Policy Advisor for IST and Founder and CEO of Zakem Global Strategies
Moderated by: Mike McNerney, Board Chair, IST and Chief Operating Officer of Arceo
