Vinesight at ISS World Dubai: The Weaponization of Information

Vinesight recently had the privilege of participating in ISS World Dubai, a key global forum for intelligence, surveillance, and cybersecurity professionals.

We were delighted to stand alongside the industry’s best, contributing our expertise to the fight against emerging threats—particularly the weaponization of narratives to manipulate and disrupt global events. In a world where perception often outweighs reality, controlling the narrative has become one of the most potent tools of modern warfare. Unlike traditional threats, the weaponization of information requires no physical presence, no conventional arsenal—yet it can cripple economies, incite unrest, and erode trust with devastating accuracy.

The Trojan Horse of Toxic Information: Smuggled Lies, Real Consequences

A major concern among security professionals at the conference was the struggle to stop misleading information and unfounded narratives from outpacing verification processes. Misleading information spreads rapidly, embedding itself in public consciousness before anyone can set the record straight—an invisible breach of trust that is both hard to detect and even harder to contain. At Vinesight, we see this happen daily.  Inauthentic actors exploit this vulnerability, sometimes using similar tactics   to weaken institutions that once seemed unshakable. No target is off-limits—governments, corporations, and businesses alike find themselves under siege, often too late to see the deception for what it is. 

The Bank Run: A Case Study in Narrative Attacks

To illustrate the real-world consequences of narrative manipulation, our Head of Analytics and Research, Alana Herbst, presented a striking case study.

In June 2023, social media posts falsely claimed that a top global bank had imposed a $1,000 cash withdrawal limit due to financial instability. The rumor spread like wildfire, triggering panic-driven mass withdrawals worth hundreds of billions of dollars.



Vinesight’s platform detected the manipulated narrative campaign in real-time, uncovering a coordinated effort driven by bot networks, including accounts impersonating the bank’s CEO. By exposing these tactics before the unverified narrative could take hold, we demonstrated how proactive narrative intelligence and real-time monitoring can do more than just contain the damage—they can prevent it.

 In a financial system where trust is currency and perception can dictate market stability, safeguarding institutions from reputational crises isn’t just about protecting their image; it’s about shielding them from tangible economic turbulence.

Looking Ahead

ISS World Dubai underscored the urgency of staying ahead of modern threats. It reinforced the need for shared intelligence, cross-sector collaboration, and preemptive strategies to neutralize risks before they escalate into full-blown crises. For Vinesight, it reaffirmed our mission: to stay ahead of evolving digital threats, helping organizations navigate the complexities of modern information warfare. As information manipulation continues shaping public perception and influencing global events, we remain committed to providing cutting-edge solutions that empower brands, governments, and institutions to stay informed, vigilant, and resilient. Until next time, Dubai!

About Vinesight

Vinesight has developed an AI-driven platform that monitors emerging social narratives, and identifies, analyzes, and responds to toxic attacks targeting brands, public sector institutions, and causes. We work with the entities that are at-risk for such attacks, including, the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, and the world's most prominent financial firms. Vinesight empowers brands, campaigns, and organizations to protect their narratives and brand, while ensuring that authenticity prevails in the digital space.

Interested in learning how your brand can leverage  emerging narrative and early attack detection ?