A consortium of leading global news media organisations
Cyber security and risk strategy protecting journalists reporting from Afghanistan
Strongest proof
Journalist security in a hostile environment
- Sector
- Media / Entertainment
- Capability
- Cyber Governance & Assurance
- Geography
- Afghanistan and international newsrooms
- Engagement model
- Strategic & programme advisory
- Evidence
- Anonymised engagement · Public evidence
At a glance
- Who
- A consortium of leading global news media organisations · Media / Entertainment
- Why it mattered
- Global newsrooms needed to keep reporters, sources and stories safe as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban.
- IG-Smart's role
- Security training, risk assessment, protocols and round-the-clock advisory support
01The exposure
Some of the world's largest news organisations were reporting from Afghanistan during a period of extreme volatility, when reliable information was needed more than ever.
Reporters faced physical danger alongside significant cyber-security risk. Compromised devices, communications or data could expose journalists, sources and stories.
02The mandate
Immediate, practical security strategy tailored to news reporting in a hostile environment — for executives, security managers and reporters.
Commissioned scope
- Specialised security training for executives, security managers and reporters
- Risk assessment of operations and data-handling processes
- Customised protocols: secure communication channels, data encryption and incident response plans
- Round-the-clock advisory support during the engagement
03Environment
Organisation context
Describes the client organisation — not the size of IG-Smart's work.
- Consortium of leading global news media organisations
Scope boundary
- The client consortium is anonymised.
- Engagement dates and team numbers are not stated.
- Support levels described applied to this engagement only and are not a standard service commitment.
04IG-Smart's approach
- 01
Assess
Performed a thorough risk assessment of operations and data-handling processes.
- 02
Build
Developed customised protocols for secure communications, encryption and incident response.
- 03
Manage
Trained executives, security managers and reporters and provided round-the-clock advice as circumstances changed.
Engagement phases: Assess · Build · Manage
05Engagement scale
What IG-Smart's work covered
- Training, risk assessment, protocols and advisory support
06What we delivered
- Security risk assessment
- Secure communication and encryption protocols
- Incident response plans
- Security training sessions
07Outcome
Engagement result
No data breaches or security incidents were reported throughout the engagement.
Client-reported result
The client organisations adapted to changing circumstances while continuing to report from Afghanistan.
08What this demonstrates
Relevant to media, NGOs and organisations with staff in high-risk environments needing rapid security risk assessment, protocols and training.
09What buyers can verify
Public
- Engagement scope
- Deliverable types described
Further evidence can be discussed subject to confidentiality and client permissions.
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