Specialist in strategic communication, hybrid threats and security

Basic Information

Methodology

A face-to-face methodology will be used in which lectures will be combined with case studies and group simulation exercises (role play). This methodology will be completed with the student's non-contact activity that includes the study of readings and preparation of materials for group discussion and work. All these activities are aimed at completing the necessary preparation of the student to achieve the objectives of the course.

Master classes and readings

Study of cases

Workshops

Group simulation exercises (role play)

Final directed academic work

Visits to centers of interest related to the subjects of the own Degree.

the Program

1. Asymmetry, hybrid threats and security (30 hours)

The objective of the module is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to understand the current security environment and the main threats to peace, stability of Western democracies and security of States and citizens, paying special attention to threats of a asymmetric and hybrid threats, the vulnerabilities of our democratic systems and the importance of strategic communication in this context. In particular, the module addresses the following issues:

• Global security and asymmetric threats
• Terrorism, radicalization, religious and violent extremism
• Human security and resilience
• Hybrid warfare and hybrid threats
• international communication

2. Digital environment, cyber defense and cyber security policies (50 hours)

Cyberspace has become a new domain for the expression of power and conflict, coercion, the development of criminal activities, attacks on critical infrastructures and hostile influence operations by state and non-state actors for purposes of a diverse nature. . Preventing, detecting and responding to threats in the domain of cyberspace is a challenge for our democracies, requiring multidimensional responses where policies to raise awareness and educate citizens about the threats to which they are exposed in this new domain become a essential part of the answer. From a fundamentally political and defense perspective, the module addresses the following questions:

• Cyberspace: a new dimension of security for information and communication 
• Vulnerabilities, risks and threats in the domain of cyberspace
• Cyber ​​defense, cyber security and cyber hygiene policies
• Cyberspace and critical infrastructure: a new scenario for hybrid threats

3. Propaganda, disinformation and deception (50 hours)

External influence on the electoral processes of our democracies and the erosion of confidence in their institutions constitute some of the most important challenges that our societies face. Similarly, terrorist groups, criminal organizations, extremists of different political persuasions, and other actors use information and communication for various purposes, including, among others, radicalization, proselytism, and hostile influence.

The new communication environment caused by the technological revolution and the appearance of social networks has provided the traditional instruments of political warfare, such as disinformation and propaganda, with new possibilities for their dissemination and use in the security context of hybrid threats. The module addresses the vulnerabilities of our information processing and decision-making systems that are likely to be targeted in hybrid influence operations through information and strategic communication. The module provides the fundamental theoretical, conceptual and analytical tools for the following issues involved in overt and covert influence processes in the security context of hybrid threats:

• Attitude, behavior and public opinion
• Cognitive and heuristic biases
• Overt and covert propaganda
• Misinformation and strategic deception
• Speech analysis

4. Intelligence and Strategic Planning (50 hours)

From an intelligence perspective applied to hybrid threats, the module provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze and develop intelligence with the aim of planning responses to this challenge. The module will pay special attention to open sources of information and social network intelligence, as well as best practices identified by academics and professionals, addressing the following issues:

• Make informed decisions
• Information sources and evaluation
• Analysis and intelligence production

5. Communication strategy and tactics (50 hours)

The objective of the module is to train the student in the design, planning and development of strategic communication campaigns that can effectively contribute to dealing with hybrid threats. The theme of the module addresses:

• Target audiences
• Definition of communication objectives and strategy
• public diplomacy
• Communication of influence: techniques
• Evaluation and measurement of effects

6. Workshops, simulations and games (40 hours)

 From an active and experiential learning approach, the program includes the development of workshops, role-playing simulations, war games, as a necessary complement to the theoretical and case study sessions.

7. Scheduled visits (15 hours)

As part of the activities, the program includes scheduled visits to security and defense institutions and organizations related to the contents addressed in the program such as media.

8.Academic Work (50 hours)

As part of the compulsory evaluation activities, in order to obtain the specialist degree, the student must prepare and present an original academic paper on one of the topics addressed in the program.

Recipients

Journalism professionals, communication professionals in companies and public institutions, members of the State security forces and bodies, Armed Forces personnel, public administration personnel, regional and local administrations, professionals employed in corporate security departments, consultancies and companies providing services related to cybersecurity or the protection of critical infrastructures, companies providing social communication services, analysis cabinets and studies of political parties, graduates or university graduates in any branch of knowledge and in particular in social Sciences.

Academic Management and Faculty

Dr. M. Victoria Campos Zabala

Dr. Ruben Arcos Martin

Further information:

https://stratcomhybrid.com/

• Dr. Ruben Arcos Martin
• Dr. Maria Victoria Campos Zabala
• William J. Lahneman, MD
• Dr Julian Richards
• Dr Jan Goldman
• Dr. Francisco A. Marin
• Dr Chris Jagger
• Dr Lars Nicander
• Dr Per Thunholm
• Dr. Manuel Gertrudix
• Dr. Concepcion Anguita
• Dr Roger Mason
• Dr. Antonio Baraybar
• Dr William Lahneman
• Dr. Antonio M. Diaz

Duration and development

Modality: remote

Start date: 23 September of 2022

Finish date: 22 of July of 2023

SCHEDULE:

Wednesday from 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.

Thursday from 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.

Reservation of place and enrollment

Degree: SPECIALIST IN COMMUNICATION, STRATEGIC, HYBRID THREATS AND SECURITY.

Start date: 23th September 2022

Finish date: July 22, 2023

Pre-registration period: 9 from May to the 12 from September of 2022

Enrollment Deadline: September 14-21, 2022

Title price: €2000

Pre-registration: €250. This amount is included in the total cost of the course and will be returned if your academic request is not accepted. If, once the student's application has been admitted, the enrollment is not formalized, the amount deposited for pre-enrolment will not be returned.

No. of Places: 50

The start of the course is conditioned to the minimum number of 20 students enrolled.

Documentation to attach, forms and place of delivery