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.

Content

In the News

May 13, 2021

The Federal Innovator Podcast 1: “Breaking tradition to transform”

As government agencies navigate an accelerated tech landscape, increased consumer demand, and IT modernization, they are also looking away from traditional methods and tapping strategy prototyping to solve problems in new ways and prepare for the future of work. On this episode, co-hosts Tim Irvine and Stephanie Wander are joined by Dr. Ryan Vega, the Diffusion of Excellence lead at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Innovation.

Political Reform
Technology & Innovation

EnergySource

May 13, 2021

Colonial Pipeline attack demonstrates that a more coherent cybersecurity strategy is necessary

By Cynthia Quarterman

With the announcement that the Colonial Pipeline will reopen soon, the short-term effect of the Colonial cyberattack on gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum product prices is likely to be mildly escalatory and short-lived, but it exposes the soft underbelly of the nation’s critical energy infrastructure and the need for a more robust cybersecurity strategy to protect it.

Cybersecurity
Energy & Environment

In the News

May 13, 2021

Bell Joins ABC News to Discuss Colonial Pipeline

Cybersecurity
Geopolitics & Energy Security

GeoTech Cues

May 13, 2021

How to modernize the global food system for an economy of trust

By Borja Prado

The pandemic has revealed that the world is increasingly governed by complex food systems prone to cascading failure. Decision-makers must leverage new technologies and data analytics to build stronger, yet flexible, global networks to rely on.

Inclusive Growth
International Markets

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

In the News

May 13, 2021

Herr in Lawfare: everything you need to know about the new executive order on cybersecurity

Yesterday evening, the Biden administration released its much-anticipated “Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity.”  It is tempting to yawn; every administration in recent memory has done something of this kind, after all, and not always to significant effect.  But this executive order deserves your attention. It contains concrete measures tailored to respond to lessons […]

Cybersecurity

Fast Thinking

May 12, 2021

FAST THINKING: How bad will Israeli-Palestinian violence get?

By Atlantic Council

Is an all-out war brewing? What does this mean for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future? What role will regional and global powers now play in the confrontation? From Washington to Jerusalem, our experts are here to weigh in.

Cybersecurity
Energy & Environment

Event Recap

May 12, 2021

Event recap | Exploring the future of data, human rights, speech, and privacy

By the GeoTech Center

On Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. EDT, the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center hosted a panel of experts to explore “Exploring the future of data, human rights, speech, and privacy.” The panel included Alex Feerst, General Counsel at Neuralink; Chris Hazard, PhD, Co-founder and CTO at Diveplane; and Nathana Sharma, General Counsel at Labelbox.

Digital Policy
Disinformation

In the News

May 11, 2021

Bochman and Quarterman quoted in Atlantic Council on Colonial Pipeline

Cybersecurity
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fast Thinking

May 11, 2021

FAST THINKING: How to stop the next pipeline hack

By Atlantic Council

The hack has been tied to an Eastern European (and possibly Russia-based) collective known as DarkSide and US President Joe Biden has said that Russia bears some responsibility for the hack, even though the attack does not appear to have been state-sponsored. How can companies fight back against this rising trend of ransomware attacks? What can the Biden administration do?

Cybersecurity
Eastern Europe

Experts