Course Overview
Cognitive warfare has become as strategically significant as technical cyber operations for many organisations. Close to half of all global elections between 2023 and 2024 were influenced by AI-driven disinformation campaigns. Nation-states are deploying synthetic media, coordinated inauthentic behaviour, and psychological operations not only to shift public opinion at scale, but to manipulate specific decision-makers, erode institutional trust, and undermine organisational cohesion from within.
Over three mentor-led days, participants examine the operational doctrine behind cognitive warfare from Russia, China, and Iran, develop deepfake detection skills using multimodal forensic analysis tools, build OSINT monitoring capabilities for early warning of disinformation campaigns, design rapid-response counter-narrative workflows, and learn to protect decision-makers and staff from sophisticated manipulation targeting.
The programme concludes with a timed counter-disinformation capstone: participants detect an active synthetic media campaign, verify its origins using OSINT techniques, develop a counter-narrative response, and brief a simulated executive team within a defined response window. This course is aligned with NATO cognitive warfare doctrine, NCSC disinformation guidance, and UK government strategic communications best practice.
Hands-On Learning
Deepfake detection practical using multimodal forensic tools, OSINT monitoring platform exercises, social media campaign network graph analysis, and a timed counter-disinformation capstone exercise.
Mentor-Led Sessions
Practitioner-led analysis of Russian information operations playbooks, Chinese strategic narrative management, and Iranian hacktivist amplification networks, with live 2025-2026 campaign examples throughout.
Career-Ready Skills
Cognitive warfare doctrine knowledge, deepfake detection skills, OSINT monitoring capability, rapid-response counter-narrative design, and executive briefing under active disinformation pressure.
Learning Outcomes
Identify and counter influence operations targeting your organisation or sector using OSINT monitoring methodologies.
Detect deepfake audio and video using multimodal forensic analysis and specialist detection tooling.
Design a cognitive warfare resilience programme tailored to your organisation's communications threat profile.
Monitor dark web and social media platforms for early indicators of targeted disinformation campaigns.
Produce a counter-narrative strategy for an active influence operation within a defined response window.
Protect specific organisational decision-makers from synthetic media manipulation and psychological operations.
Brief executive stakeholders on a live disinformation campaign with response recommendations under pressure.
Prerequisites
Professional experience in communications, government, security, intelligence analysis, or policy roles.
Basic familiarity with social media platforms and digital communications in a professional organisational context.
No prior knowledge of cognitive warfare doctrine or disinformation operations is required.
Detailed Syllabus
Step-by-step learning journey from basics to professional practice
Topics Covered
- Pre-reading: NATO cognitive warfare doctrine summary and NCSC disinformation guidance
- Introduction to OSINT tools used throughout: social listening platforms, Maltego, and network graph analysis
- Accessing the synthetic media sample dataset and OSINT monitoring lab environment
Skills You'll Gain
Master these in-demand skills through hands-on practice
Career Progression
A clear view of the roles this programme supports, what typically comes next, and where learners progress over time
Ways to Learn
Choose the learning format that works best for you and your team
Live Online
Instructor-Led Training
Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.
- Live instructor interaction (real-time)
- Trainer-led walkthroughs and real examples
- Guided resources and session notes provided
- Structured Q&A and practical discussion
Price per person
Group enrolments and early planning options available.
All prices are exclusive of VAT where applicable. Group enrolments and custom packages available on request.
Prefer a Faster, Personalised Route into IT?
Not everyone learns best in a group. If you want focused guidance, faster clarity, and confidence you can use on the job, our 1-to-1 Fast-Track Training gives you private, mentor-led support tailored to your experience and goals.
"Many learners choose 1-to-1 when they want understanding, not memorisation."
Exam & Certification Information
Everything you need to know about the certification exams
Important Information
You will receive an Xcademia certificate of completion based on participation and successful completion of labs and scenario simulations.
Credential
Certificate of Completion
On successful completion of Cognitive Warfare and Information Operations Defence, learners receive an Xcademia Certificate of Completion. This standalone certificate is issued directly by Xcademia and is aligned with globally recognised frameworks and best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this course
Communications teams, government press offices, intelligence analysts, social media managers, and policy leads who need to understand, detect, and counter cognitive warfare and state-sponsored disinformation campaigns.
Ready to Start Your Learning Journey?
Take the next step in your professional development