The ATHENA consortium has delivered a groundbreaking analysis of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), offering critical insights into the evolving nature of disinformation campaigns targeting democratic societies. Drawing from 32 detailed case studies, this €3.1 million Horizon Europe project highlights the sophisticated tactics, techniques, and procedures employed by malicious actors to exploit digital platforms and undermine public trust.
The study reveals how FIMI actors adapt rapidly, leveraging evolving methods to evade detection and complicate attribution. This adaptability poses significant challenges for those defending against such attacks, emphasising the necessity for constant vigilance and innovative countermeasures. Equally important is the call for collaboration among governments, technology platforms, civil society, and citizens. Standardised frameworks like DISARM and STIX offer a promising foundation for coordinated monitoring and response efforts.
ATHENA’s findings also underscore the urgent need to strengthen digital infrastructure, counteract emerging cyber threats, and enhance media literacy initiatives to empower individuals against manipulation. These recommendations are particularly timely as disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks from state-linked actors, including those from Russia and China, continue to escalate.
The ATHENA project, involving 14 European partners, represents a significant contribution to the defense of democratic processes. Its insights and recommendations mark a vital step forward in understanding and addressing the complex challenges of FIMI. For a comprehensive exploration of this work, the full ATHENA report is available here.
