The Cyber Statecraft Initiative works at the nexus of geopolitics, technology, and security to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users. This work extends through the competition of state and non-state actors, the security of the internet and computing systems, the safety of operational technology and physical systems, and the communities of cyberspace. The Initiative convenes a diverse network of passionate and knowledgeable contributors, bridging the gap among technical, policy, and user communities.

Our work

Team

Fellows

Publications

GeoTech Cues

Aug 6, 2024

The Great IT Outage of 2024 is a wake-up call about digital public infrastructure

By Saba Weatherspoon and Zhenwei Gao

The July 19 outage serves as a symbolic outcry for solution-oriented policies and accountability to stave off future disruptions.

Cybersecurity Internet

Issue Brief

Jul 29, 2024

Russia’s digital tech isolationism: Domestic innovation, digital fragmentation, and the Kremlin’s push to replace Western digital technology

By Justin Sherman

Russia’s technological isolation is both a reality and a desired goal for Moscow. This piece explores the impacts of this phenomenon and offers recommendations for how to deal with that evolving digital ecosystem.

Cybersecurity Internet

Issue Brief

Jul 24, 2024

OT cyber policy: The Titanic or the iceberg

By Danielle Jablanski

Current policy does not address the issue of cyber-physical security with a systemic approach, instead focusing with tunnel vision on specific events. This analysis uses the iceberg model for systems thinking to address policy gaps in the OT ecosystem, detailing recommendations for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Cybersecurity

Issue Brief

Jul 1, 2024

The impact of corruption on cybersecurity: Rethinking national strategies across the Global South  

By Robert Peacock

As the Global South prepares for the next stage in ICT development, governments must prioritize policies that reduce corruption in critical network software procurement to protect those countries’ developing cyberspace.

Corruption Cybersecurity

Report

Jun 24, 2024

User in the middle: An interoperability and security guide for policymakers

By Maia Hamin, Alphaeus Hanson

When technologies work together, it benefits users and the digital ecosystem. Policymakers can advance interoperability and security in tandem by understanding how each impacts the other.

Report

Jun 12, 2024

“Reasonable” cybersecurity in forty-seven cases: The Federal Trade Commission’s enforcement actions against unfair and deceptive cyber Practices

By Isabella Wright and Maia Hamin

The FTC has brought 47 cases against companies for unfair or deceptive cybersecurity practices. What can we learn from them?

Cybersecurity

Tech and Markets

May 13, 2024

International Cyberspace & Digital Policy Strategy: AC Tech Programs Markup

By Cyber Statecraft Initiative

On May 6, the Department of State released the United States International Cyberspace & Digital Policy Strategy. Read along with AC Tech Programs staff, fellows, and experts for commentary and analysis.

Cybersecurity

Capacity Building Initiative

May 7, 2024

Lessons learned from the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

By Sara Mishra, Hannah Dora Patterson, Ethan Moscot, and Andrew Vu

Students from Tufts University tell us their greatest lessons learned from competing in the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge.

Cybersecurity

The 5×5

May 1, 2024

The 5×5—The XZ backdoor: Trust and open source software

By Nitansha Bansal, Stewart Scott

Open source software security experts share their insights into the XZ backdoor, and what it means for open source software security.

Cybersecurity

Report

Apr 22, 2024

Markets matter: A glance into the spyware industry

By Jen Roberts, Trey Herr, Emma Taylor, Nitansha Bansal

The Intellexa Consortium is a complex web of holding companies and vendors for spyware and related services. The Consortium represents a compelling example of spyware vendors in the context of the market in which they operate—one which helps facilitate the commercial sale of software driving both human rights and national security risk.

Civil Society Cybersecurity

Events


The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, part of the Atlantic Council Technology Programs, works at the nexus of geopolitics and cybersecurity to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users of technology.

Licensing CSI Graphics

All original graphics created by the Cyber Statecraft Initiative (CSI) are available for re-use under the following conditions:

  • Written permission must be granted by CSI.
  • Graphics may be copied and distributed in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommerical purposes, and only so long as attribution is given.1Language based on Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
  • The attribution must reference the Cyber Statecraft Initiative and include a link to the content.
  • CSI cannot grant permission for the use of images or graphics licensed from third parties.