Event Recap
The Atlantic Council hosted the first event in the forum “Trusted Connectivity: Securing Digital Infrastructure in an Era of Strategic Competition with China,” featuring President of Estonia H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid. This event, co-hosted by the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and its Forward Defense practice area, the Digital Forensic Research Lab, the Europe Center, and the GeoTech Center, took place on June 30, 2021.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is rapidly accelerating the pace of technological development, resulting in both economic opportunities and major security challenges. While advancements in digital and physical infrastructure can transform a variety of key sectors, such as energy, transportation, and communications, they have also exacerbated technological competition with revisionist geopolitical actors. Through its Belt and Road Initiative, China’s global infrastructure investments threaten to accumulate widespread influence and provide sensitive data to Beijing, opening potential vectors for coercion, disruption, or attack in times of crisis or conflict. Following consensus amongst nations at the G7 Leaders’ Summit on how to counter this influence, the Atlantic Council’s “Trusted Connectivity” forum further discussed the need for transatlantic cooperation to build secure digital infrastructure in the United States, Europe, and around the world.
As Estonia prepared to host the Tallinn Digital Summit this September to drive the conversation on digitalization in Europe, President of Estonia H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid joined us to discuss the future of trusted connectivity in an era of strategic and technological competition. President Kaljulaid was joined by Anne Neuberger, US Deputy National Security Advisor for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology, who shared how the imperative to invest in secure digital infrastructure relates to US initiatives, such as Build Back Better World. Together, addressed how democratic nations can work with each other and with the private sector to incentivize ambitious infrastructure investments, boost economic growth, and promote regional and global security. Their conversation was moderated by Kim Dozier, CNN’s Global Affairs Analyst with an extensive background in foreign and national security policy issues.
An #ACFrontPage Event
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A keynote discussion featuring
President H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid
President
The Republic of Estonia
Anne Neuberger
Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology
US National Security Council
Moderated by
Kim Dozier
Global Affairs Analyst
CNN
Co-hosted by
Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.
The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) has operationalized the study of disinformation by exposing falsehoods and fake news, documenting human rights abuses, and building digital resilience worldwide.
Europe Center
Providing expertise and building communities to promote transatlantic leadership and a strong Europe in turbulent times.
The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting stability, democratic values and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia in the East.
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