NATO Innovation Challenge - The invisible threat: Countering cognitive warfare

“National Defence”

The funder does not disclose this information

Maximum Eligible Amount

Government Grant

Fund Type

This pitch-style event invites non-traditional innovative thinkers from across all 30 NATO member nations to showcase ways of securing the cognitive domain against attacks. Whether you work at an industry start-up, in academia, or are part of an established small/medium business, NATO is looking for new technologies and measures that can combat the threat of attacks on the mind.

The Challenge

The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), on behalf of Canada, will be hosting the Fall 2021 NATO Innovation Challenge. The theme of this pitch-style event is Understanding and Protecting the Cognitive Domain.

NATO is looking for tools and measures to identify, assess and protect against attacks on NATO forces and NATO Allies in the cognitive domain.

What NATO Provides

A pitch-style event will be hosted by Canada on behalf of NATO where innovators can present their solutions to NATO member countries and other interested stakeholders. Cash prizes, as well as international exposure, will be available for the best solutions. There will also be a special recognition for the top “Made in Canada” solution.

What Innovators Bring

Solutions will ideally provide a monitoring and alert system for cognitive attacks, as well as real-time data-sharing with NATO forces. Solutions could leverage immersive and Command and Control infrastructure technologies, amongst others.

Adversarial attempts to manipulate human behaviour will present an enduring challenge to Allied nations’ defence and security. This emerging threat of modern warfare goes beyond controlling the flow of information. Cognitive warfare seeks to change not only what people think, but also how they act. Attacks against the cognitive domain involve the integration of cyber, disinformation/misinformation, psychological, and social-engineering capabilities. The new operating environment for decision-makers engages their ability to both detect and respond to attacks on the cognitive domain.

Cognitive warfare positions the mind as a battle space and contested domain. Its objective is to sow dissonance, instigate conflicting narratives, polarize opinion, and radicalize groups. Cognitive warfare can motivate people to act in ways that can disrupt or fragment an otherwise cohesive society. Ensuing disorder can influence decision-making, change ideologies, and generate distrust among Allies.