NUARI interns assist researchers in developing tools to fight weaponization of information

NUARI’s mission is to strengthen the pillars of a resilient society through rapid research, development, and education in cybersecurity, defense technologies, and information advantage (IA). We work with our partners to train and educate future leaders and continually innovate to advance knowledge and technologies in various fields.

NUARI recognizes that for America’s leaders, both in the public and private sectors, the subject of information advantage and information warfare (IW) constitutes a quickly developing and ill-defined topic of considerable concern. NUARI continues to assess existing and emerging capabilities in the IA/IW theatre, linking operational needs with potential technology solutions.

Recently, NUARI and Norwich University hosted a group of Information Warfare Interns selected to assist our interdisciplinary team of researchers studying the weaponization of information in real-time. Our group of student interns were funded by the Department of Defense Cyber Institute at Norwich University, and this specific line of effort is one of many examples of interdisciplinary experiences the Cyber Institute supports at Norwich. Throughout their internship, the student interns gained hands-on experience, working with experts in the field of IA/IW, and received training in the study of propaganda, cybersecurity, disinformation, and information advantage. The NUARI interns assisted our researchers by labeling media data for a supervised machine learning effort, assisted in developing multidisciplinary frameworks to detect, measure, and predict malign influence, and identified strategies and tactics of actors in the information environment. 

It is important to note that Norwich University was among the first institutions of higher learning to integrate cybersecurity into undergraduate education. Today, Norwich University and NUARI are advancing IW education, experiences, and research to lead in this growing field. Norwich students can now enroll in a series of IW courses. Additional applied research projects are being developed to educate students, allowing them to engage effectively in the information environment. As countering malign influence continues to grow as a priority across defense, intelligence, and foreign policy communities, this internship was an ideal learning opportunity for students, and we appreciate their added value.