Denmark’s preparedness against influence operations: Minimalist approach to a complex challenge

Abstract

Since 2018, Danish governments have considered the threat from hostile influence campaigns sufficiently significant to require a constant readiness to counter such events. Over the years, Danish governments years have taken a minimalistic approach to the complex threats: A task force consisting of civil servants from various ministries supported by the national intelligence services operating under the sectorial responsibility principle. The involved personnel, which solve the task alongside their primary portfolios, are designated as the core in ad-hoc organizations that handle the challenges depending on where they emerge. The analysis compares the Danish minimalist approach with the Swedish approach. Sweden also responds to the challenge using the sector responsibility principle, but contrary to Denmark, Sweden has established a substantial and highly profiled standing organisation with no other tasks.