Cybersecurity

In cyberspace, adversaries are growing more sophisticated and outpacing advancements in policy, education, and defense technologies. In an era of great-power competition, it is vital that policy makers and tech experts understand the underlying factors and motivations impacting the field of cybersecurity. With a focus on strategy and foresight, the Atlantic Council shifts attention from singular incidents to better understand larger cyber campaigns.

Recent analysis

Avoiding the success trap: Toward policy for open-source software as infrastructure

Report Jan 29, 2026

The US needs a cybersecurity roadmap

By Franklin D. Kramer, Robert J. Butler, and Melanie J. Teplinsky

A national cybersecurity strategy will require an operational road map.
Cybersecurity Security & Defense
Avoiding the success trap: Toward policy for open-source software as infrastructure

Report Sep 30, 2025

404 Accountability not found: Spyware accountability through software liability

By Sara Ann Brackett, Jen Roberts

This report proposes a legislative safe harbor framework that would incentivize technology companies to engage in spyware accountability.
Cybersecurity United Kingdom
Avoiding the success trap: Toward policy for open-source software as infrastructure

Issue Brief Sep 10, 2025

Mythical Beasts: Diving into the depths of the global spyware market

By Sarah Graham, Jen Roberts, and Nitansha Bansal

The second edition of the Mythical Beasts project assess how the global spyware market has developed and changed over the past year.
Cybersecurity

Programs

The Atlantic Council Technology Programs comprises five existing efforts—the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the GeoTech Center, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, the Democracy + Tech Initiative, and the Capacity Building Initiative. These operations work together to address the geopolitical implications of technology and provide policymakers and global stakeholders necessary research, insights, and convenings to address challenges around global technology and ensure its responsible advancement.

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Content

Report

Feb 8, 2023

Avoiding the success trap: Toward policy for open-source software as infrastructure

By Stewart Scott, Sara Ann Brackett, Trey Herr, Maia Hamin with the Open Source Policy Network

Open-source software (OSS) sits at the center of almost every digital technology moving the world since the early 1980s—laptops, cellphones, widespread internet connectivity, cloud computing, social media, automation, all the rainbow flavors of e-commerce, and even secure communications and anti-censorship tools.

Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Jan 31, 2023

Russia’s cyberwar against Ukraine offers vital lessons for the West

By Yurii Shchyhol

Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian cyber warfare can provide valuable lessons while offering a glimpse into a future where wars will be waged both by conventional means and increasingly in the borderless realm of cyberspace.

Conflict Cybersecurity

EnergySource

Jan 30, 2023

Unlocking a sustainable future by making cybersecurity more accessible

By Leo Simonovich and Reed Blakemore

Cybersecurity will be a key feature of the energy transition. Decision-makers will need to be diligent as they look to secure an increasingly digital and interconnected global energy system.

Cybersecurity Energy & Environment

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
Igor Turashev, wanted by the FBI for his connection to computer malware that infected “tens of thousands of computers,” reportedly participated in a December 2022 Russian hackathon hosted by the Wagner Group. (Source: FBI.gov)

New Atlanticist

Jan 13, 2023

<strong>Russian War Report: Russian hacker wanted by the FBI reportedly wins Wagner hackathon prize</strong> 

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

In December 2022, Wagner Group organized a hackathon that was won by a man wanted by the FBI for his connection to computer malware.

Conflict Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Jan 12, 2023

The West reaps multiple benefits from backing Ukraine against Russia

By Taras Kuzio

Ukraine is often viewed as being heavily reliant on Western support but the relationship is mutually beneficial and provides the West with enhanced security along with valuable intelligence, writes Taras Kuzio.

Conflict Cybersecurity

Uncategorized

Jan 4, 2023

2023 DC Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

By Cyber Statecraft Initiative

The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, in partnership with American University’s School of International Service and Washington College of Law, will hold the eleventh annual Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge both virtually and in-person in Washington, DC on March 17-18, 2023. For the first time in the competition’s history, we will be hosting a hybrid event. Teams […]

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

Issue Brief

Dec 12, 2022

Wargaming to find a safe port in a cyber storm

By Daniel Grobarcik, William Loomis, Michael Poznansky, Frank Smith

With the Maritime Transportation System increasingly reliant on cyberspace, how can cybersecurity be improved within key nodes of this critical infrastructure, particularly cargo ports?

Cybersecurity Maritime Security

360/StratCom

Dec 8, 2022

360/StratCom: How policymakers can set a democratic tech agenda for the interconnected world

By Layla Mashkoor

The DFRLab assembled policymakers and civil-society leaders together to drive forward a democratic tech agenda that is rights-respecting and inclusive.  

Cybersecurity Disinformation
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Experts

Fellow

Yasmine Abdillahi

Nonresident Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Cybersecurity

Fellow

Michael Allen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Cybersecurity

Fellow

Victor Atkins

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Cybersecurity

Staff

Nitansha Bansal

Associate Director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Fellow

Tyson Barker

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Fellow

Ryan Berger

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Americas Cybersecurity
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