Technology & Innovation

The rapid pace of technological change can both provide governments and individuals with new tools to achieve policy goals, while also presenting societies with new economic, political, and social challenges. The harnessing of new technologies can unlock new economic growth, enhance inclusivity and equity, and increase citizens’ quality of life, but their potentially damaging side effects must also be managed. In an era of growing geopolitical and economic competition, governments must also focus on how to ensure their societies retain a technological edge, and produce new innovative products and solutions to drive growth.

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

NATOSource

Oct 5, 2011

Panetta: Achieving fiscal and national security “will test the very future of leadership throughout NATO”

By Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense:  We are nearing the end of a successful campaign in Libya, and are closer than ever to achieving our shared goals in Afghanistan.  But there is no doubt that this is also a time of challenge to the alliance. 

Drones NATO

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2011

Why No Cyber 9/11s Yet?

By Jason Healey

Fears of a catastrophic cyber attack against national infrastructure go back well before 2001, but the attacks of a decade ago have given this possibility a new name: a “cyber 9/11.” The feeling persists that a large-scale cyber attack is just around the corner. Yet, despite these fears, there have been no such catastrophic attacks.  […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

NATOSource

Sep 23, 2011

Global spending on UAVs expected to nearly double in the next decade

By Soham Chatterjee and Bijoy Anandoth Koyitty, Reuters

From Soham Chatterjee and Bijoy Anandoth Koyitty, Reuters: A leaner U.S. defense budget means there will be less scope for big defense programs, but drone makers are betting that a focus on intelligence gathering and risking fewer lives in combat will keep the market growing.

Drones Technology & Innovation

Issue Brief

Sep 21, 2011

US Declaratory Policy and Striking Back in Cyber Conflict

By Jason Healey

In one of the year’s most poorly understood bit of cyber news, the United States has again announced it may use military force in response to a cyber attack. In a new publication, Jason Healey, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, puts this cyber “declaratory policy” into the proper context, both how it fits […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

NATOSource

Sep 21, 2011

Obama urges Erdogan to resolve Turkey’s problems with Israel

By Matt Spetalnick and Laura MacInnis, Reuters

Drones Technology & Innovation

New Atlanticist

Sep 15, 2011

The Reality of 9/11-Related Predictions of Cyber Attacks

By Jason Healey

After the 9/11 attacks a decade ago, it seemed that threats were waiting for us around every border, hiding in every cave, and ready to pounce from everywhere, including cyberspace. To be sure, some of those threats did in fact materialize against the United States, our allies and interests.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

NATOSource

Sep 15, 2011

Cyber threats added to US-Australia defense treaty

By Phil Stewart, Reuters

From Phil Stewart, Reuters:  The United States and Australia will take the rare step on Thursday of declaring the cyber realm as part of a mutual defense treaty, meaning that a cyber attack on one could lead to a response by both nations.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2011

Strategic Instability is Inherent in Cyber Conflict

By Jason Healey and Hannah Pitts

Strategic instability will be an inherent factor in cyber conflict for the foreseeable future, according to preliminary findings of a research effort by the Cyber Conflict Studies Association (CCSA), led by Greg Rattray and James Mulvenon.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

NATOSource

Sep 14, 2011

Turkey announces site for NATO missile defense radar

By Selcan Hacaoglu, the AP

Drones Technology & Innovation

Issue Brief

Sep 13, 2011

Pursuing Cyber Statecraft

By Jason Healey

If the world is going to solve problems of cooperation and conflict in cyberspace, states and non-state actors alike must apply a wider range of tools.  Cyber statecraft will be an important way to discover and implement better set of such tools, writes Jason Healey, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative. Download the PDF

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

Experts

Events