We are excited to announce that VOST Europe has joined the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference – Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (FIMI ISAC) initiative, launched by the European External Action Services (EEAS). This initiative is a crucial step in combating foreign information manipulation and interference, and we are proud to be among the first organisations to contribute to this important cause.
What is the FIMI ISAC?
Announced on 7 February 2023 by Josep Borrell, the High Representative/Vice-President of the European Union, FIMI ISAC is designed to promote the sharing of information, knowledge, and analysis about the root causes, incidents, and threats related to foreign information manipulation and interference. The Information Sharing and Analysis Centre will create a collaborative environment where governments, institutions, and civil society organisations can exchange intelligence and experiences, strengthening collective responses to information threats.
Josep Borrell emphasized that this is a long-term fight against disinformation and interference, requiring comprehensive tools and collaboration to protect democracies in Europe and beyond. The FIMI ISAC initiative is part of the EU’s broader effort to build resilient defenses against these pervasive challenges.
VOST Europe’s Role
On 11 January 2024, VOST Europe submitted its application to join the FIMI ISAC, and we are proud to be one of the first organisations accepted into this important network. Our commitment to leveraging technology for good aligns perfectly with the mission of FIMI ISAC. Through our extensive experience in open-source intelligence (OSINT), information verification, and combatting disinformation, VOST Europe will contribute valuable insights to the Centre.
As part of the FIMI ISAC initiative, VOST Europe will play an active role in:
– Sharing information about foreign disinformation campaigns and manipulation strategies.
– Collaborating with European institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen cybersecurity and information integrity.
– Contributing to analysis and reporting on real-time incidents that threaten public trust and democracy.
– Utilising our OSINT expertise to detect and combat foreign information manipulation.
The Long-Term Fight Against Disinformation
At VOST Europe, we recognise that the fight against foreign interference is not a short-term challenge. It requires ongoing collaboration, vigilance, and innovation. By joining the FIMI ISAC initiative, we are committing to the long-term effort of safeguarding European democracies from disinformation and manipulation campaigns that seek to undermine trust in public institutions.
Through our participation in the FIMI ISAC, we will have access to a wider network of expertise and resources, enabling us to improve our response to information manipulation threats. Together with our partners in the initiative, we aim to develop and share effective solutions that can be implemented at local, national, and European levels.
Moving Forward
This partnership with the European External Action Services and other members of FIMI ISAC is a significant milestone for VOST Europe. We look forward to contributing to a collective effort that strengthens Europe’s resilience against information threats, ensuring that our democracies remain protected and informed.
As we continue to fight against foreign information manipulation, VOST Europe will remain steadfast in its mission to leverage technology to serve the public good. We are excited about this new chapter and the opportunities it presents to collaborate with like-minded organisations across Europe.
Together, we can build stronger defenses and protect the integrity of the information that shapes our democracies.
Stay tuned for updates on our progress with the FIMI ISAC initiative and our ongoing work to safeguard the information space across Europe.