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Weaponized disinformation spread and its impact on multi-commodity critical infrastructure networks

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  • Jamalzadeh, Saeed
  • Mettenbrink, Lily
  • Barker, Kash
  • González, Andrés D.
  • Radhakrishnan, Sridhar
  • Johansson, Jonas
  • Bessarabova, Elena

Abstract

The well-publicized disinformation campaigns surrounding recent elections, pandemic vaccination adoption, as well as supply-chain disruptions and shortages have made historical problems of disinformation more apparent. When disinformation targets transportation infrastructure, supply chains can be disrupted, resulting in commodities shortages such as food and fuel, consequently jeopardizing the health and safety of communities. This research proposes an integrated epidemiological-optimization model that quantifies the impacts of weaponized disinformation on infrastructure networks that transport multiple commodities. The model aims to minimize the overall weighted shortage of commodities caused by different disinformation spread rates. Results show that disinformation weaponized against transportation infrastructure, potentially targeting a particular geographical region or a particular commodity, can have wide-ranging impacts across different commodities. The proposed model is applied to the multi-commodity Swedish railway network carrying 14 different categories of commodities over 1360 supply and demand nodes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamalzadeh, Saeed & Mettenbrink, Lily & Barker, Kash & González, Andrés D. & Radhakrishnan, Sridhar & Johansson, Jonas & Bessarabova, Elena, 2024. "Weaponized disinformation spread and its impact on multi-commodity critical infrastructure networks," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reensy:v:243:y:2024:i:c:s0951832023007330
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2023.109819
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    6. Hou, Benwei & Chen, Pengxu & Zhao, Xudong & Chen, Zhilong, 2025. "Optimal allocation of defensive resources in regional railway networks under intentional attacks," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 257(PB).

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