Cyber Deception & Honeypots in Information Warfare

In the digital age, information is the new battlefield — and minds are the ultimate targets.
This course, Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) in Information Warfare, explores how governments, organizations, and non-state actors use psychological manipulation to shape beliefs, influence emotions, and control decision-making in both physical and digital environments.

You will begin by examining the foundations of PSYOPS — where psychology meets technology — and learn the principles, objectives, and ethical frameworks behind psychological influence in modern conflicts. The course then explores digital influence mechanics, including audience profiling, emotional targeting, algorithmic persuasion, and the role of artificial intelligence in propaganda and perception management.

Through real-world case studies such as Cambridge Analytica and the Russia–Ukraine information operations, you will analyze how data analytics, bots, and deepfake media are weaponized to distort truth and manipulate public opinion across multiple digital ecosystems and social platforms worldwide.

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand how PSYOPS function across digital and traditional domains

• Identify manipulation and persuasion techniques used in media

• Evaluate ethical, psychological, and social implications of influence operations

• Strengthen digital literacy and critical thinking to resist manipulation effectively

Ideal for cybersecurity students, defense professionals, journalists, educators, and anyone seeking to understand the power of information in modern warfare.