Adversarial Information Operations and Psychological Warfare Training Course

Adversarial Information Operations and Psychological Warfare Training Course

Introduction

Adversarial Information Operations and Psychological Warfare Training Course provides participants with a deep understanding of the strategies, tactics, and tools used in modern information warfare, propaganda campaigns, and psychological operations. This course explores how state and non-state actors manipulate information to influence public perception, disrupt decision-making, and achieve strategic objectives. Participants will learn to identify disinformation, assess threat environments, and develop countermeasures, integrating intelligence analysis, communication strategies, and digital monitoring techniques. The course emphasizes the critical role of psychological warfare in shaping narratives, influencing target audiences, and reinforcing national security objectives in complex geopolitical contexts.

Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, real-world case studies, and practical exercises, participants will gain the skills to design and implement effective information operations strategies. The course covers social media manipulation, cyber-enabled influence campaigns, cognitive bias exploitation, and strategic messaging while highlighting ethical considerations and compliance with international law. By the end of the training, learners will be able to critically evaluate adversarial operations, craft counter-information campaigns, and enhance organizational resilience against psychological and informational threats.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the fundamentals of adversarial information operations and psychological warfare.
2. Identify types, sources, and channels of disinformation campaigns.
3. Analyze target audience behavior and susceptibility to influence.
4. Apply intelligence and open-source analysis to detect information threats.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of psychological operations strategies.
6. Design counter-information campaigns to mitigate adversarial impact.
7. Integrate cyber and social media monitoring into operational planning.
8. Assess cognitive biases and human behavior in information operations.
9. Develop messaging strategies aligned with strategic objectives.
10. Examine legal, ethical, and policy considerations in psychological warfare.
11. Build organizational resilience against influence and manipulation.
12. Conduct risk assessments for potential information operations threats.
13. Implement training and awareness programs to strengthen staff capabilities.

Organizational Benefits

• Enhanced ability to detect and counter disinformation campaigns
• Improved strategic communication and narrative control
• Strengthened organizational resilience against psychological threats
• Increased awareness of information manipulation techniques
• Better integration of cyber and intelligence tools for threat mitigation
• Enhanced decision-making in crisis and high-pressure environments
• Improved coordination across operational, analytical, and communication teams
• Reduced vulnerability to adversarial influence on internal and external stakeholders
• Strengthened compliance with ethical and legal standards
• Heightened staff awareness and operational preparedness

Target Audiences

• Intelligence analysts and officers
• Cybersecurity and social media monitoring teams
• Communications and public relations officers
• Military and defense personnel involved in psychological operations
• Law enforcement and counter-terrorism professionals
• Policy makers and strategic planning officers
• Risk management and crisis response teams
• Security consultants and trainers

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Fundamentals of Information Operations

• Definition, scope, and evolution of information operations
• Types of information threats and adversarial tactics
• Understanding psychological warfare principles
• Key players and actors in modern information conflicts
• Role of media and technology in shaping narratives
• Case Study: Historical example of state-sponsored information campaign

Module 2: Disinformation and Propaganda Techniques

• Identifying misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation
• Techniques of narrative framing and message amplification
• Use of social media, bots, and deepfakes in campaigns
• Cognitive and emotional manipulation strategies
• Impact assessment of disinformation on public perception
• Case Study: Social media disinformation during a political election

Module 3: Audience Analysis and Influence Assessment

• Techniques for mapping and profiling target audiences
• Understanding cognitive biases and susceptibility to influence
• Methods for measuring audience engagement and impact
• Applying psychological principles to influence operations
• Behavioral indicators and early-warning signals
• Case Study: Influence operations targeting urban populations

Module 4: Intelligence and Open-Source Analysis

• Gathering and evaluating open-source intelligence (OSINT)
• Social media monitoring and sentiment analysis
• Identifying information patterns and anomalies
• Cross-referencing data from multiple sources
• Integration of OSINT into operational decision-making
• Case Study: OSINT analysis detecting adversarial messaging campaigns

Module 5: Cyber-Enabled Influence Operations

• Role of cyber tools in psychological warfare
• Coordinating digital campaigns with traditional operations
• Vulnerabilities of digital infrastructure to information attacks
• Monitoring and mitigating cyber-driven propaganda
• Legal and ethical considerations in cyber influence
• Case Study: Cyber-mediated influence operations in a regional conflict

Module 6: Counter-Information and Strategic Messaging

• Designing counter-narratives and corrective messaging
• Crisis communication and rapid response strategies
• Techniques for audience persuasion and credibility building
• Multichannel dissemination for maximum impact
• Monitoring and adjusting campaign effectiveness
• Case Study: Counter-information campaign reversing negative narratives

Module 7: Legal, Ethical, and Policy Frameworks

• International laws and conventions governing information operations
• Ethical considerations in psychological and influence operations
• Policy development for organizational compliance
• Balancing operational objectives with human rights principles
• Regulatory and governance challenges
• Case Study: Policy implementation for ethical psychological operations

Module 8: Organizational Resilience and Staff Preparedness

• Building internal awareness and training programs
• Scenario planning and threat simulations
• Strengthening cross-departmental coordination
• Crisis management and response protocols
• Evaluating and updating organizational SOPs
• Case Study: Training and preparedness improving institutional resilience

Training Methodology

• Instructor-led presentations and facilitated discussions
• Case study analysis of historical and contemporary campaigns
• Group exercises and scenario-based simulations
• Practical tools for monitoring, analysis, and counter-operations
• Peer learning and collaborative problem-solving activities
• Action planning and feedback sessions to reinforce learning

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.