HHS Office of Information Security: Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3)
[TLP: WHITE, ID#202202231700, Page 1 of 1]
[email protected] www.HHS.GOV/HC3
HC3: Alert February 23, 2022 TLP: White Report: 202202231700
CISA Insights: Preparing for and Mitigating Foreign Influence Operations
Targeting Critical Infrastructure
Executive Summary
Malicious actors use influence operations, including tactics like misinformation, disinformation, and
malinformation (MDM), to shape public opinion, undermine trust, amplify division, and sow discord.
Foreign actors engage in these actions to bias the development of policy and undermine the security of the
U.S. and our allies, disrupt markets, and foment unrest. This CISA Insights product is intended to ensure
that critical infrastructure owners and operators are aware of the risks of influence operations leveraging
social media and online platforms.
Report
CISA Insights: Preparing for and Mitigating Foreign Influence Operations Targeting Critical Infrastructure
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/cisa_insight_mitigating_foreign_influence_508.pdf
Impact to HPH Sector
CISA encourages leaders at every organization to take proactive steps to assess their risks from
information manipulation, increase resilience, and mitigate the impact of potential foreign influence
operations. Recommended actions include:
• Assess the Information Environment
o Evaluate the precedent for MDM narratives targeting your sector
• Identify Vulnerabilities
o Identify potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by MDM
• Fortify Communication Channels
o Engage your stakeholders to establish clear communication channels for info sharing
• Engage in Proactive Communication
o Coordinate with other organizations in your sector to amplify and reinforce messaging
• Develop an Incident Response (IR) Plan
o Designate an individual to oversee the MDM IR process and associated crisis comms
U.S. organizations should report incidents immediately to the FBI at a local FBI Field Office, CISA at uscert.cisa.gov/report, or the U.S. Secret Service at a U.S. Secret Service Field Office.
References
Links to several additional references and resources can be found in the above referenced report.
Contact Information
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at [email protected].
We want to know how satisfied you are with our products. Your answers will be
anonymous, and we will use the responses to improve all our future updates, features,
and new products. Share Your Feedback
[email protected] www.HHS.GOV/HC3
HC3: Alert February 23, 2022 TLP: White Report: 202202231700
CISA Insights: Preparing for and Mitigating Foreign Influence Operations
Targeting Critical Infrastructure
Executive Summary
Malicious actors use influence operations, including tactics like misinformation, disinformation, and
malinformation (MDM), to shape public opinion, undermine trust, amplify division, and sow discord.
Foreign actors engage in these actions to bias the development of policy and undermine the security of the
U.S. and our allies, disrupt markets, and foment unrest. This CISA Insights product is intended to ensure
that critical infrastructure owners and operators are aware of the risks of influence operations leveraging
social media and online platforms.
Report
CISA Insights: Preparing for and Mitigating Foreign Influence Operations Targeting Critical Infrastructure
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/cisa_insight_mitigating_foreign_influence_508.pdf
Impact to HPH Sector
CISA encourages leaders at every organization to take proactive steps to assess their risks from
information manipulation, increase resilience, and mitigate the impact of potential foreign influence
operations. Recommended actions include:
• Assess the Information Environment
o Evaluate the precedent for MDM narratives targeting your sector
• Identify Vulnerabilities
o Identify potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by MDM
• Fortify Communication Channels
o Engage your stakeholders to establish clear communication channels for info sharing
• Engage in Proactive Communication
o Coordinate with other organizations in your sector to amplify and reinforce messaging
• Develop an Incident Response (IR) Plan
o Designate an individual to oversee the MDM IR process and associated crisis comms
U.S. organizations should report incidents immediately to the FBI at a local FBI Field Office, CISA at uscert.cisa.gov/report, or the U.S. Secret Service at a U.S. Secret Service Field Office.
References
Links to several additional references and resources can be found in the above referenced report.
Contact Information
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at [email protected].
We want to know how satisfied you are with our products. Your answers will be
anonymous, and we will use the responses to improve all our future updates, features,
and new products. Share Your Feedback
