Cybercriminals, nation-states, and bad actors are using AI to spread false narratives faster than ever, manipulating markets, misleading the public, and creating chaos for businesses. In fact, the World Economic Forum has identified disinformation as one of the top global risks in 2025.¹ 

Businesses are feeling the effects firsthand, with publicly traded companies losing an estimated $39 billion annually due to disinformation-driven stock market volatility.² But it’s not just a financial threat; disinformation can destabilize supply chains, customer relationships, and corporate reputations. Even a single viral falsehood can send companies into damage control mode, disrupting operations and eroding trust before the facts are even established.

An Overlooked Security Risk: 

Most companies have security measures in place to defend against malware, phishing, and ransomware—but few are equipped to handle disinformation. Yet its impact can be far-reaching and highly damaging. 

• Security threats – Disinformation is often part of a larger cyberattack strategy. Cybercriminals use fake alerts, fabricated emails, and deepfake messages to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or bypassing security measures, paving the way for phishing, fraud, or system breaches.
• Internal disruption – When employees encounter false or misleading narratives, they may react in ways that disrupt workplace cohesion and productivity. Disinformation designed to create division or confusion can destabilize operations, lowering morale and increasing employee turnover.
• Reputational damage – False information spreads fast. A misleading claim about your company can gain traction online before the truth catches up. The result? Lost customers, a tarnished brand image, and long-term credibility issues.
• Market manipulation – Businesses that rely on industry insights, competitor analysis, or financial reports are vulnerable to disinformation designed to skew decision-making. Fake data, misleading press releases, or AI-generated media can influence stock prices, consumer behavior, and even regulatory policies.

Combatting this Unique Threat:

Disinformation bypasses traditional defenses, embedding itself into social media, employee inboxes, and corporate decision-making processes. It attacks our perception and trust, influencing decisions, shaping public opinion, and creating confusion before businesses even realize they’re being targeted. 

Fortunately, there are a series of steps you can take to stay ahead of disinformation and protect your organization:

1. Implement AI-driven monitoring systems: By flagging potentially false information in real-time, these systems help you stay ahead of disinformation campaigns. 
2. Train employees: Educating your team on recognizing and addressing disinformation can prevent internal confusion and maintain operational efficiency. Well-informed employees are less likely to fall for false narratives.
3. Establish clear communication channels: Maintaining open and transparent communication can help you quickly address and dispel false information, maintaining trust with your employees and customers.
4. Monitor external sources: Keeping an eye on industry trends and external information can help you detect and counter disinformation before it affects your business directly. Being proactive allows you to address potential threats early.
5. Develop a disinformation response plan – Just like your business has cybersecurity incident response plans, you also need a structured process for handling disinformation attacks. 

Protecting your business from disinformation requires more than just awareness—you need a cybersecurity strategy that strengthens your defenses against the risks fueling these attacks. At Melillo, we help businesses secure their digital environment, protect critical communication channels, and enhance threat detection to reduce vulnerabilities that disinformation campaigns exploit. With AI-driven security solutions, proactive risk management, and real-time monitoring, we help you defend against cyber threats that enable false narratives—whether through phishing schemes, deepfake manipulation, or compromised internal communications.

1 https://tinyurl.com/y5ac7nbp

2 https://tinyurl.com/ysxxxmba