The Integrated Refugee Organization (IRO) stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for refugees, exiled human rights defenders (HRDs), journalists, activists, and the communities that host them. Recognizing the growing digital threats faced by displaced individuals and civil society organizations (CSOs), IRO provides a comprehensive suite of digital resilience and technology empowerment programs. These initiatives are tailored to ensure safety, sustainability, and impact in the work of defending human rights, promoting freedom of expression, and advancing social justice.
Below is a detailed overview of the key services offered by IRO:
- Digital security trainings
IRO offers hands-on digital security trainings to equip HRDs, journalists, and activists with essential knowledge and skills to secure their digital environments. These trainings cover:
- Threat modeling
- Device and communication encryption
- Secure use of messaging apps
- Protection against phishing and malware attacks
- Password management and two-factor authentication
These sessions are delivered in accessible formats, with contextualized content for both tech-savvy users and those new to digital security, especially refugees and grassroots activists operating in high-risk environments.
- Digital security training of trainers (ToT)
To ensure sustainability and local capacity, IRO organizes Training of Trainers (ToT) programs in digital security. These sessions prepare selected participants to become trainers within their communities or organizations. Trainees learn:
- Facilitation techniques
- Curriculum development
- Contextual risk analysis
- Peer-to-peer training methods
By building a pool of community-based trainers, IRO helps create a ripple effect in knowledge sharing and localized resilience.
- Digital security audit trainings
Understanding that prevention is better than cure, IRO offers Digital security audit trainings where participants learn to assess digital infrastructure for vulnerabilities. Participants are trained to:
- Identify security gaps in digital communication systems
- Conduct digital risk assessments
- Develop mitigation strategies
- Prepare organizational digital security protocols
These trainings empower HRDs and organizations to be proactive in securing their workspaces and data.
- Organizational security audits
Beyond training, IRO provides in-depth organizational security audits. These audits involve direct collaboration with NGOs, media houses, and community groups to:
- Analyze organizational practices and technologies
- Identify potential threats and security gaps
- Deliver custom recommendations and implementation support
- Assist in creating digital security policies and incident response plans
The goal is to build long-term, embedded security systems within organizations that face constant surveillance or repression.
- Social media trainings
IRO conducts social media trainings tailored for HRDs, Journalists and Activists, focusing on:
- Safe and strategic use of platforms like Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn
- Managing online identity and reputation
- Preventing doxxing, online harassment, and surveillance
- Effective digital campaigning and storytelling
Participants learn how to navigate online spaces safely while amplifying their voices and causes.
- Web Development
Recognizing the power of digital presence, IRO supports web development services for HRDs and organizations that lack the capacity or resources. Services include:
- Design and creation of websites and blogs
- Integration of secure hosting and SSL certificates
- Accessibility for audiences across regions and devices
- Training on how to manage and update sites
These websites serve as critical tools for advocacy, fundraising, public awareness, and documenting violations.
- Database development (for Documenting Human Rights Violations)
To enhance evidence-based advocacy, IRO assists organizations in developing secure databases for human rights documentation. These systems enable:
- Secure storage of testimonies, videos, photos, and reports
- Categorization by violation type, location, and perpetrator
- Access control and data protection measures
- Tools for generating reports and case studies
This initiative strengthens accountability efforts and supports transitional justice.
- Internet measurement training
IRO trains HRDs, journalists, and tech-savvy activists in Internet measurement, enabling them to detect and document:
- Internet shutdowns
- Censorship and website blocking
- Throttling of social media or news platforms
- Regional internet inconsistencies
- Internet surveillance
These trainings use open-source tools like OONI Probe and support grassroots documentation of digital repression.
- TOR (The Onion Router) training
In repressive environments, anonymity can save lives. IRO offers specialized TOR training to help participants:
- Understand the TOR network and how it works
- Browse the web anonymously
- Access restricted content in censored countries
- Stay safe while communicating or publishing sensitive content
This training is particularly valuable for investigative journalists and whistleblowers operating under threat.
- Misinformation / Disinformation training
Misinformation and disinformation are powerful tools used to delegitimize HRDs and journalists and distort public narratives. IRO equips participants to:
- Understand the difference between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation
- Identify fake news, deepfakes, and manipulated content
- Verify sources using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools
- Counter false narratives with evidence-based responses
- Create content that builds digital trust and counters hate speech
This initiative is vital for strengthening credibility and truth-based advocacy in a polarized media environment.