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

The Department of Defense: Facing The Barrel of a Coded Gun

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

The Department of Defense: Facing The Barrel of a Coded Gun

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

The Department of Defense: Facing The Barrel of a Coded Gun

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

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2016

The Department of Defense: Facing The Barrel of a Coded Gun

By Ian Fairchild

In October, Mirai malware used default login credentials to compromise thousands of routers, digital video recorders, Internet cameras, and other Internet-connected devices. Mirai then created a botnet with the hacked hardware and targeted Dyn, a key provider of domain name services. The result wreaked havoc across the Internet, taking down several prominent websites and disrupting […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense
Director General of the British Security Service Andrew Parker

NATOSource

Nov 2, 2016

MI5 Head: ‘Increasingly Aggressive’ Russia a Growing Threat to UK

By Ewen MacAskill and Paul Johnson, Guardian

Russia poses an increasing threat to the stability of the UK and is using all the sophisticated tools at its disposal to achieve its aims, the director general of MI5 has told the Guardian.

Cybersecurity Intelligence

In the News

Nov 1, 2016

Stifel Quoted by SC Magazine on Prosecuting Cyber Crimes

By Megan Stifel

Read full article here.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2016

Internet Under Siege: The Cost of Connectivity

By Rachel Ansley

In the rush to produce cost-effective connected devices, not enough focus has been placed on security measures. The cost of such inattention became evident on October 21 when hackers exploited vulnerabilities in hundreds of thousands of everyday devices, including baby monitors and cameras, to cripple the Internet. This attack was merely a sign of things […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

Cyber Risk Wednesdays

Oct 19, 2016

Cyber Risk Wednesday: Hacking the Vote

By Jeff Stone, CSM Passcode

During an event on Wednesday at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, a panel of cybersecurity and election experts said troubles at the polls originated long before this election season.

Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Oct 17, 2016

Protecting Cyber Life Zones

By Ian Fairchild

Humans and technology are converging in unexpected ways, and more rapidly than ever before.  For instance, Tesla is integrating radar into its cars.  Delta Airlines tracks luggage with microchips.  Even our home energy controls are becoming smarter.  As humans increasingly inlay technology into daily life, greater interaction necessitates both dialogue and action.  We must critically […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense
Informal Meeting of Speakers of the EU Parliaments, Oct. 7, 2016

NATOSource

Oct 17, 2016

EU Leaders to Hold Talks on Russia’s Interference in European Domestic Politics

By Arthur Beesley, Financial Times

EU leaders are to discuss covert Russian funding of far-right and fringe parties in Europe in light of intelligence findings that show that Moscow is interfering in European domestic politics.

Cybersecurity European Union

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2016

Inoculating Against a Cyber Attack

By Rachel Ansley

The recently reported vulnerability in insulin pumps, while not in itself a significant threat, underscores the danger posed by hackers who could take control of medical devices, according to Beau Woods, deputy director of the Atlantic Council Cyber Statecraft Initiative. “The risks of connected medical devices can be anywhere on a spectrum: from almost none […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin, May 10, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 21, 2016

Russian Hackers Linked to Another Cyber Campaign Targeting Political Parties in Germany

By AFP and Deutsche Welle

From AFP:  German political parties have fallen victim to a new round of cyber attacks, documents showed Wednesday, after Berlin’s domestic spy agency accused Russia of a series of operations aimed at spying and sabotage.

Cybersecurity Germany

FutureSource

Sep 6, 2016

Risk Nexus Revisited: What is the Internet’s Future?

By Kathryn Taylor

This is a critical moment for the Internet. Mass government and commercial data collection have weakened public trust. Uncertainty is rising as nations disagree over Internet governance and new technologies disrupt existing markets and mechanisms. The Internet of Things (IoT) is developing rapidly and creating new economic opportunities, but manufacturers are consistently failing to incorporate […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense
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Experts

Staff

Kitsch Liao

Associate Director

Global China Hub

China Security & Defense

Fellow

Will Loomis

Nonresident Fellow

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Cybersecurity

Fellow

Oumou Ly

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Fellow

Ronald A. Marks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

Fellow

John Speed Meyers

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Cybersecurity Technology & Innovation

Fellow

Mike Minihan

Distinguished Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Artificial Intelligence China
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