RMIT expert available for comment on threat of cyber-attacks and disinformation on the 2020 US election outcome

RMIT expert available for comment on threat of cyber-attacks and disinformation on the 2020 US election outcome

An expert from RMIT University is available to talk about the hybrid threats that could manipulate the US election outcome, ranging from cyber-attacks, disinformation and fake news.

Professor Matt Warren (0432 745171 or matthew.warren2@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: cyber security; information security; cyber warfare; critical infrastructure protection; cyber terrorism; cyber security policy; computer ethics; small business and cyber security; hacking; information warfare, fake news

“Hybrid threats are the combined physical and non-physical threats that deliberately target democratic states’ and institutions’ systemic vulnerabilities, through a wide range of means such as cyber-attacks, disinformation and fake news.

“Fake news is content that is completely false; manipulated; impersonates genuine new sources or just contains misleading content.

“In 2016 the US presidential campaign was mired by allegations of foreign interference by Russia.

“In 2016, the actions by Russian state actors posing as grassroots American political organisations were designed to covertly undermine faith in America’s democratic institutions and disadvantage candidates considered unfavourable.

“With the 2020 US presidential campaign, history could repeat itself, with allegations that state actors are already planning to manipulate the outcome of the presidential election through a combination of disinformation and fake news as they did in 2016.

“But at the moment the US Government is ignoring this grave threat posed to the US election.”

Matthew (Matt) Warren is the Director of the RMIT University Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation and a Professor of Cyber Security at RMIT University. He is a researcher in the areas of Cyber Security and Computer Ethics. 

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For media enquiries, please contact RMIT Communications: 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

 

23 September 2020

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23 September 2020

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