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The 5×5 series by the Cyber Statecraft Initiative features five experts answering five questions on a common theme, trend, or current event in the world of cyber.

Editions

The 5×5

Aug 25, 2021

The 5×5—Cyber capacity and conflict in Africa

By Simon Handler

We brought together a panel of contributors with various perspectives on the region to break down the state of cybersecurity in Africa and explore where investments in cyber capacity could go the furthest.

Africa Cybersecurity

The 5×5

Jul 22, 2021

The 5×5—If it blinks, it sinks: Adventures in securing operational technology

By Will Loomis, Simon Handler

With rising sophistication, automation, and interconnectivity in operational technologies, security has become an overwhelming need.

Cybersecurity Geopolitics & Energy Security

The 5×5

Jun 15, 2021

The 5×5—The state of cybersecurity in the Middle East

By Simon Handler

How will recent developments in the Middle East affect cybersecurity cooperation, and what does the future of the region’s cyber landscape look like?

Cybersecurity Iran

The 5×5

May 13, 2021

The 5×5—How retaliation shapes cyber conflict

By Safa Shahwan Edwards, Simon Handler

Imposing costs—or retaliation—in the physical domain has been studied, but what does retaliation look like in cyberspace and how is it different than retaliation in the physical domain?

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2021

The 5×5—Questioning basic assumptions in the cyber domain

By Simon Handler, Emma Schroeder

Challenging assumptions in cyberspace also means challenging assumptions about the theorists and strategists themselves. International Women’s Day, coming up on March 8, serves as a reminder to include female voices as a means of enriching policy discussions, producing more insightful work, and driving impact.

Cybersecurity Internet

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2021

The 5×5—Looking ahead for the Biden administration after a busy year in cybersecurity

By Simon Handler

It’s been a wild twelve months in the world of cybersecurity since the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative launched the 5×5 series. In celebration of the series’ one-year anniversary, experts plotted the year ahead.

Cybersecurity Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

Dec 22, 2020

The 5×5—A cyber wish list at a ‘moment of reckoning’

By Simon Handler

The recent SUNBURST compromise of numerous government and private sector company networks has led some, including Microsoft President Brad Smith, to dub the incident a “moment of reckoning.” Here’s what our experts are wishing for this holiday season.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Oct 29, 2020

The 5×5—Trick or threat? The ghouls and goblins behind this year’s cyber incidents

By Simon Handler

This year has witnessed its fair share of unnerving cyber incidents from a range of spooky characters. But 2020 is not over yet. What further ghouls and goblins might lurk? Cyber Statecraft Initiative experts go 5×5 to discuss spine-chilling cyber incidents this Halloween.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Oct 7, 2020

The 5×5—Cybersecurity and the 117th Congress

By Simon Handler

Approximately eighty congressional committees and subcommittees claim jurisdiction over at least some dimension of cybersecurity policy. As the agenda for the coming years is only getting more crowded, Congress must improve its agility in order to pass meaningful cybersecurity legislation effectively.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Elections 2020

Sep 24, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Cybersecurity

By Cyber Statecraft Initiative

With the next US presidential election looming, the next administration will face no shortage of substantive cyber policy issues. US adversaries such as China and Russia continue to undermine and fracture the free and open internet, while the technology ecosystem has been altered by the rapid adoption of cloud computing, placing immense power and responsibility in the hands of few technology giants, such as Amazon and Microsoft.

Cybersecurity Elections
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The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, part of the Atlantic Council Technology Programs, works at the nexus of geopolitics and cybersecurity to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users of technology.

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Content

The 5x5

Jun 20, 2023

The 5×5—Cyber conflict in international relations: A scholar’s perspective

By Simon Handler

Leading scholars provide insights on cyber conflict’s role in international relations, how the topic can best be taught to students, and how scholars and policymakers can better incorporate each other’s perspectives.

Cybersecurity National Security

The 5x5

May 30, 2023

The 5×5—Cross-community perspectives on cyber threat intelligence and policy

By Simon Handler

Individuals with experience from the worlds of cyber threat intelligence and cyber policy share their insights and career advice.

Cybersecurity Intelligence

The 5x5

May 3, 2023

The 5×5—Cryptocurrency hacking’s geopolitical and cyber implications

By Simon Handler

Experts explore the cybersecurity implications of cryptocurrencies, and how the United States and its allies should approach this challenge.

Cybersecurity Digital Currencies

The 5x5

Mar 22, 2023

The 5×5—Conflict in Ukraine’s information environment

By Simon Handler

Experts provide insights on the war being waged through the Ukrainian information environment and take away lessons for the future.

Conflict Cybersecurity

The 5x5

Feb 23, 2023

The 5×5—Strengthening the cyber workforce

By Simon Handler

Experts provide insights into ways for the United States and its allies to bolster their cyber workforces.

Cybersecurity Education

The 5x5

Jan 30, 2023

The 5×5—China’s cyber operations

By Simon Handler

Experts provide insights into China’s cyber behavior, its structure, and how its operations differ from those of other states.

China Cybersecurity

The 5×5

Dec 14, 2022

The 5×5—The cyber year in review

By Simon Handler

A group of experts reviews the highs and lows of the year in cybersecurity and look forward to 2023. 

Cybersecurity Internet

Conflict, Risk, and Tech

Nov 16, 2022

The 5×5—The rise of cyber surveillance and the Access-as-a-Service industry

By Simon Handler

Experts discuss the rise of cyber surveillance and the impact of the Access-as-a-Service industry on the United States and its allies.

Cybersecurity Intelligence

The 5×5

Oct 26, 2022

The 5×5—Non-state armed groups in cyber conflict

By Simon Handler

Five experts from various backgrounds assess the emerging threats posed by non-state armed groups in cyber conflict.

Conflict Cybersecurity

The 5×5

Sep 28, 2022

The 5×5—The Internet of Things and national security

By Simon Handler

Five experts from various backgrounds assess the national security challenges posed by IoT and discuss potential solutions.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy
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