Understanding and Countering Malign Foreign Influence Training Course

Understanding and Countering Malign Foreign Influence Training Course

Introduction

Understanding and countering malign foreign influence has become a critical focus for national security, organizational resilience, and public policy effectiveness. Malign foreign influence refers to covert or overt actions by foreign actors aimed at manipulating public opinion, political decision-making, economic systems, and social cohesion to achieve strategic objectives. Understanding and Countering Malign Foreign Influence Training Course equips participants with a deep understanding of influence operations, hybrid threats, disinformation campaigns, and strategic communication challenges. Participants will explore key intelligence methods, analytical frameworks, and countermeasures to detect, assess, and mitigate these threats across multiple sectors.

The course emphasizes the practical application of counter-influence strategies within governmental, private sector, and civil society contexts. Participants will examine case studies, operational frameworks, and proactive measures to strengthen societal resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and enhance decision-making under threat. By integrating risk assessment, policy development, and communication strategies, learners gain the tools to build comprehensive defense mechanisms against evolving foreign influence campaigns, ensuring the protection of democratic institutions and societal stability.

Course Objectives

1. Understand the concept, scope, and impact of malign foreign influence.
2. Identify key actors, tools, and methods used in influence operations.
3. Analyze disinformation campaigns and hybrid threats affecting national security.
4. Develop frameworks to detect and assess foreign influence activities.
5. Apply intelligence collection and analysis techniques to counter threats.
6. Strengthen organizational resilience through policy and operational measures.
7. Evaluate vulnerabilities in political, economic, and social systems.
8. Design strategic communication strategies to counter misinformation.
9. Integrate cyber threat intelligence into counter-influence operations.
10. Assess the role of media, social networks, and public discourse in influence campaigns.
11. Implement risk mitigation strategies for government and private sector institutions.
12. Conduct scenario-based exercises to test organizational preparedness.
13. Develop actionable plans for long-term monitoring and mitigation of foreign influence.

Organizational Benefits

• Enhanced awareness of threats from malign foreign actors
• Improved detection and monitoring of influence campaigns
• Strengthened internal policies and operational resilience
• Enhanced ability to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information
• Improved strategic communication and counter-messaging capabilities
• Increased readiness for hybrid and cyber threats
• Better-informed decision-making for leadership and policy teams
• Strengthened collaboration across government, private sector, and civil society
• Reduced organizational vulnerability to disinformation and manipulation
• Enhanced national and organizational security posture

Target Audiences

• Government policy makers and intelligence officers
• National security and defense analysts
• Public sector communications and media teams
• Law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals
• Private sector risk management teams
• Strategic planners in government and corporate sectors
• Academic researchers and analysts in international relations
• Civil society and non-governmental organization leaders

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Malign Foreign Influence

• Define malign foreign influence and its operational methods
• Examine historical and contemporary examples of influence operations
• Identify key actors and state-sponsored strategies
• Analyze the impact on political, social, and economic systems
• Understand the role of soft power and hybrid tactics
• Case Study: Foreign influence campaigns in recent elections

Module 2: Disinformation and Propaganda Analysis

• Identify disinformation channels and techniques
• Evaluate social media manipulation strategies
• Assess the role of fake news, bots, and coordinated campaigns
• Examine psychological effects on public opinion
• Monitor trends in digital influence operations
• Case Study: Social media disinformation impacting public health decisions

Module 3: Cyber Threats and Digital Influence

• Understand cyber-enabled influence operations
• Explore malware, phishing, and digital espionage for influence purposes
• Analyze vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure
• Develop strategies for cyber resilience
• Evaluate digital footprints and threat intelligence
• Case Study: Cyber-attacks leveraged for foreign policy objectives

Module 4: Intelligence and Counter-Influence Frameworks

• Apply intelligence collection techniques to detect influence operations
• Assess signals, open-source intelligence, and human intelligence sources
• Conduct threat assessments and risk prioritization
• Integrate multi-source data for actionable insights
• Develop monitoring and early warning systems
• Case Study: Multi-source intelligence detecting covert influence campaigns

Module 5: Strategic Communication and Counter-Messaging

• Design communication strategies to mitigate misinformation
• Craft narratives to build public trust and resilience
• Evaluate channels and messaging effectiveness
• Use media literacy and public engagement tools
• Align counter-messaging with organizational objectives
• Case Study: Government campaign countering foreign disinformation

Module 6: Organizational Resilience and Policy Measures

• Develop policies to mitigate exposure to foreign influence
• Assess operational vulnerabilities within organizations
• Implement internal controls and crisis management frameworks
• Strengthen governance and accountability mechanisms
• Conduct internal audits and scenario testing
• Case Study: Organizational restructuring to address influence vulnerabilities

Module 7: Legal and Regulatory Considerations

• Understand domestic and international laws on foreign influence
• Examine compliance requirements for government and private sectors
• Develop guidelines for monitoring and reporting influence activities
• Analyze implications for civil liberties and privacy
• Integrate legal advice into operational and strategic planning
• Case Study: Regulatory response to foreign lobbying and influence operations

Module 8: Simulation and Scenario-Based Exercises

• Conduct simulated influence campaign detection exercises
• Test organizational counter-measures in realistic scenarios
• Evaluate decision-making under pressure and uncertainty
• Analyze lessons learned for operational improvement
• Develop actionable follow-up strategies
• Case Study: Full-scale scenario testing of cross-sector response

Training Methodology

• Instructor-led presentations and expert briefings
• Group discussions and comparative case study analysis
• Scenario-based exercises and simulations
• Hands-on workshops with analytical tools and intelligence frameworks
• Risk assessment and policy development exercises
• Continuous feedback, evaluation, and actionable planning sessions

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.