Background and Objective: With the rapid evolution of cyber technologies, a new domain of threats centered on cognitive manipulation has emerged. These threats, which ultimately aim to influence human perception, beliefs, and decision-making, have a complex and technology-driven nature. This study aimed to design a model of technology-driven cognitive threats in the cyberspace domain.

Methods: This research was conducted using a sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 experts in cybersecurity and cognitive warfare. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA software through theoretical coding (open, axial, and selective). In the quantitative phase, the statistical population consisted of 210 managers and specialists in the cyber field, selected through stratified random sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Quantitative data were analyzed using SmartPLS software and structural equation modeling.

Findings: The qualitative findings led to the extraction of 7 main categories (Driving Technologies, Cognitive Targets, Influence Strategies, Dissemination Platforms, Security Consequences, Organizational Actors, and Operation Timing) and 21 concepts. Quantitative findings showed that all relationships between the categories were significant. The strongest relationship was observed between Cognitive Targets and Security Consequences (β=0.79), followed between Driving Technologies and Cognitive Targets (β=0.73).

Conclusions: The designed model reveals that technology-driven cognitive threats are a complex and multidimensional phenomenon in which emerging technologies target cognitive objectives through digital platforms, leading to security consequences. This model can serve as a suitable basis for designing defensive and countermeasure strategies against cognitive cyber threats.