Matthew Burd

3/24/25

Beskow and Carley, emphasize the increasing importance of social cybersecurity as a crucial component of national security, emphasizing its involvement in both conventional and unconventional warfare. Social cybersecurity examines how cyber-mediated risks affect social structures, political consequences, and human behavior, in contrast to traditional cybersecurity, which defends information systems against assaults. To preserve societal integrity in the digital era, the authors characterize social cybersecurity as a scientific methodology that aims to comprehend, predict, and mitigate these dangers (Beskow & Carley, 2019).

One of the primary concerns mentioned in the article is the increasing prevalence of information warfare, particularly the strategic deployment of misinformation and disinformation by state and non-state actors. Before a physical confrontation breaks out, the authors point to Russia’s “information blitzkrieg” strategy, which uses disinformation operations to undermine public confidence in institutions and destabilize enemies (Beskow & Carley, 2019). This strategy is in line with Russian military philosophy, which prioritizes ongoing competition above officially declared conflicts. 

Beskow and Carley provide the “BEND” model, which classifies many types of social cyber maneuvers, to comprehend how adversaries control social discourse. These include network manipulations like community infiltration and the formation of fake consensus, as well as tactics like diversion, misdirection, and distraction in online conversations. The authors also look at the function of bots in information operations, labeling them as force multipliers that reinforce polarizing narratives, automate the spread of misinformation, and influence public debate.

Beskow and Carley end by arguing that government and military officials need to prioritize social cybersecurity. To prevent cognitive hacking and protect democratic institutions, they stress the necessity of interdisciplinary research, changes to policies, and increased public awareness. They support proactive measures that strengthen national resilience against social cyberthreats as cyber enabled misinformation continues growing.

Reference

Beskow, D. M., & Carley, K. M. (2019). Social cybersecurity: An emerging national security requirement. Military Review, March-April 2019, 118–126.