To help add depth to the idea of a cyber 9/11, this issue brief, authored by Jason Healey, director of the Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, examines what might happen the day after a major cyber disruption, on 9/12.

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Starting with important lessons – based on the findings from a major conference – the brief concludes with three key recommendations: First, the cyber and national security communities on both sides of the Atlantic must continue to regularly convene for scenario-based events. Second, decision makers should trust their national security instincts when facing cyber crises. Third, we must finally break the fifteen-year public-sector/private sector stalemate.

On June 1, the Issue Brief was launched at the event “Cyber 9/12 Project: The Role of the Media During a Cyber Crisis.”

The Cyber Statecraft Initiative and the Cyber 9/12 Project

The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative helps foster international cooperation and understanding of new forms of competition and conflict in cyberspace through global engagement and thought leadership.

The first event of the “Cyber 9/12 Project” – to determine how the transatlantic community would respond after a cyber catastrophe – was held on December 8, 2011, in Washington, DC.

This project was made possible by the generous support of SAIC.

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