Information influence and interference (I3) is a framework developed to identify, conceptualise, and assess the impact of state-sponsored, strategy-driven information activities and campaigns designed to influence or interfere in another nation state. This theory baselines information and helps to discern publicly visible activity, identify changes, assess threats, and respond effectively in the contemporary information environment.
The central tenet of I3 is to gain an information advantage to exploit the weaknesses of an adversary. It is a part of a multi-faceted strategy to overcome an adversary’s superiority in another (traditionally military) domain and is a part of a coordinated approach to achieving a certain nation state’s power projection goal. A key component in the concept of I3 is that information activities are strategically aligned with military activity occurring covertly at any point on the spectrum of conflict. Traditionally information operations and warfare originated from niche military doctrine, however the shift of conflict into the public domain and public nature of this activity requires acknowledgement and consideration outside of military context alone. I3 was initially designed and applied in relation to kinetic action and works best when considered comprehensively alongside other functions of statecraft, especially diplomatic, informational, military and economic (DIME).
The information influence and interference framework (I3) was originally developed because the existing theories on information warfare were unable to adequately assess information warfare operations. It was tested on Russian disinformation in Ukraine, Crimea and in relation to the downing of MH17. It has subsequently been tested on CCP influence in the Solomon Islands and broader Pacific Islands and the Pacific islands.
I3 is critical because we won't be able to solve many of the challenges we face globally without improving our information environment and its resilience. It impacts everything from governing and democratic functions to regulating our emotional state to warfare.
Academic Article: Miah Hammond-Errey (2019) Understanding and Assessing Information Influence and Foreign Interference, Journal of Information Warfare, Volume 18, Issue 1, Winter 2019
The information influence framework was developed to identify and to assess hostile, strategy-driven, state-sponsored information activities. This research proposes and tests an analytical approach and assessment too
Additional publications
Column, 23 Oct 2024, Understanding technology as an ecosystem is the first step to tackling online harms, Lowy Interpreter
Column: Byte-sized diplomacy, 28 Aug 2024, Countering digital foreign interference, Lowy Interpreter
Opinion: 5 Oct 2023, AI will shape our world – even our brains – but it can be regulated, Lowy Interpreter
Analysis: 5 December 2022, Dealing with disinfo
Research Report: September 2022, Suppressing the truth and spreading lies. How the CCP is influencing Solomon Islands’ information environment (coauthored with Blake Johnson, Daria Impiombato and Albert Zhang).
This report explores how the CCP is using a range of influence channels to shape, promote and suppress messages in the Solomon Islands information environment. Through an examination of CCP