Joint Information Activities Group

JIAG is part of the Information Warfare Group (IWG) based at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Wiltshire.

Our role

The role of the JIAG is to develop and deliver the joint information operations and activities capability for defence in support of UK influence requirements.

What we do

JIAG trains around 650 people a year in the planning, implementation and assessment of information activities. Courses cover subjects such as audience analysis, working with the media, counter-disinformation, interview skills, behavioural science and crisis communication.

Its major outputs include the following:

• information activities - training for media and communications and information operations personnel across defence
• direct support to defence collective training exercises
• capacity building through individual advisers and bespoke training packages, both in the UK and overseas

Training development

JIAG works across defence and with partners in government, academia and the private sector to stay at the forefront of developments in its sector. It uses innovative methods such as gamification and digital training to deliver courses in a fresh and engaging manner with a practical focus.

Training courses

JIAG offers the following courses to military staff and civil servants:

• Joint Information Activities Course (JIAC). A two-week course introducing students to the fundamentals of Information Activities.

• Joint Information Operations Planning Course (JIOPC). A one-week course for those responsible for integrating Information Activities into operational planning.

• Audience Analysis Course (AAC). Two-week course for intelligence analysts developing information packs as part of audience analysis.

• Deception Planning Course (DPC). This two-week course is for staff working in a deception role at the operational level.

• Joint Media Practitioners’ Course (JMPC). A two-week course for staff in Public Relations or Media Operations roles covering theory and the planning, creation and assessment of communications activity.

• Joint Media Operations Planning Course (JMOPC). One-week course on the integration of media planning in an operational headquarters.

• Joint Digital Media Course (JDMC). A three-day course on the basics of digital media and running and maintaining social media accounts.

• Defence Spokesperson Course (DSC). Two-day course for non-communications staff likely to engage with the media and public, such as elite sportspeople and senior staff. Provides the background to working with the media and practical interview skills.

Capacity building

JIAG also provides individual advisors or bespoke training packages to support defence engagement overseas. These packages are based on the unit’s core courses.