The problem we face 

The mobilisation of extremist groups, hate mongers and conspiracy networks is increasingly amplified online by authoritarian states and hyper-charged by social media products and algorithms. 

The resulting mainstreaming of extremism and rise in authoritarianism pose a threat not only to public safety and national security but also to democracy and human rights around the world. 

Our Response 

Since 2006, ISD has been at the forefront of analyzing and innovating solutions to weaponized hate, state and non-state information operations, and extremism in all its ideological forms.  

Our teams work internationally in 30 languages and in every global time zone to detect and prevent threats to public safety, national security and democracy.   

1. Threat Detection, Analysis and Prevention 
   Identifying information operations, weaponized hate and extremism at scale; protecting citizens; safeguarding democracy. 
   
   We combine best-in-class digital research technologies and methods with in-depth subject matter expertise in state (i.e. Kremlin, CCP, Iranian) and non-state (i.e. terrorist, extremist, conspiracist) threat actors, delivering contextualized threat intelligence to our partners in real-time.  
   
   This includes threat detection, monitoring, incident response, trend analysis and training for communities, law enforcement, public officials, election agencies, businesses and state and local governments.
    
2. Training, Education and Communications 
   Delivering proven models and training in violence prevention at the front line; building networks to share and scale best practices; forging resilience through innovative strategic communications interventions and education. 
   
   In order to achieve impact at scale, we partner with governments, communities, cities, businesses and regulators, delivering the tools, insights and training needed to build resilience and operational capacity on the front line.  
   
   This includes our Strong Cities Network of Mayors and local officials dedicated to countering polarisation and hate in communities; our digital literacy education programming for kids and adults, businesses and schools; our civic actions networks such as the Coalition to Counter Online Antisemitism; and our counter-extremism/violence prevention resources for teachers, practitioners and public officials.
    
3. Informing Policy Strategies 
   Shaping evidence-based policies; improving tech and platform accountability. 
   
   We use our data and expertise to inform evidence-based policies and strategies that have the potential to achieve systemic change.  
   
   This includes work to support government and corporate strategies addressing terrorism and extremism; the weaponisation of hate and foreign influence operations. 
   

Who and where we are 

Our global team of 150 researchers, subject matter and policy experts, former government and law enforcement officials, frontline practitioners and technologists have kept ISD’s work systematically ahead of the curve, to safeguard communities and democratic process.  

ISD has offices in London, Berlin, Amman and Washington DC, and regional Strong Cities Network Hubs serving East & Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, North Africa, the Middle East and the Western Balkans. 

We are fiercely independent and strive to maintain the highest standards of integrity.