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Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news: Cyber risks to business

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  • Petratos, Pythagoras N.

Abstract

Misleading information is an emerging cyber risk. It includes misinformation, disinformation, and fake news. Digital transformation and COVID-19 have exacerbated it. While there has been much discussion about the effects of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news on the political process, the consequences of misleading information on businesses have been far less, and it can be argued insufficiently, examined. The article offers a primer on misleading information and cyber risks aimed at business executives and leaders across an array of industries, organizations, and nations. Misleading information can have a profound effect on business. I analyze different misleading information types and identify associated cyber risks to help businesses think about these emerging threats. I examine in general the cyber risk posed by misleading information on business, and I explore in more detail the impact on healthcare, media, financial markets, and elections and geopolitical risks. Finally, I offer a set of practical recommendations for organizations to respond to these new challenges and to manage risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Petratos, Pythagoras N., 2021. "Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news: Cyber risks to business," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 64(6), pages 763-774.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:64:y:2021:i:6:p:763-774
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2021.07.012
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    2. Yannopoulou, Natalia & Chandrasapth, Koblarp & Bian, Xuemei & Jin, Boyi & Gupta, Suraksha & Liu, Martin J., 2024. "How Disinformation Affects Sales: Examining the Advertising Campaign of a Socially Responsible Brand," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    3. Pythagoras N. Petratos & Alessio Faccia, 2023. "Fake news, misinformation, disinformation and supply chain risks and disruptions: risk management and resilience using blockchain," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(2), pages 735-762, August.
    4. Chohan, Raeesah & Paschen, Jeannette, 2023. "NFT marketing: How marketers can use nonfungible tokens in their campaigns," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 43-50.
    5. João Varela da Costa & Silvia Bogea Gomes & Miguel Mira da Silva, 2024. "Fake News: a conceptual model for risk management," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Pervaiz Akhtar & Arsalan Mujahid Ghouri & Haseeb Ur Rehman Khan & Mirza Amin ul Haq & Usama Awan & Nadia Zahoor & Zaheer Khan & Aniqa Ashraf, 2023. "Detecting fake news and disinformation using artificial intelligence and machine learning to avoid supply chain disruptions," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(2), pages 633-657, August.

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