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

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.

Team

Fellows

Publications

In the News

Jul 30, 2020

Sherman in WIRED: Don’t Be Fooled by Big Tech’s Anti-China Sideshow

China
Internet

In the News

Jul 29, 2020

Jun interviewed on NK News about North Korea’s cyber activity

Cybersecurity
Korea

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2020

The 5×5—Fighting COVID-19 with surveillance: Perspectives from across the globe

By Simon Handler and Lily Liu

As more countries rely on digital tools to contain the spread of COVID-19, how will enhanced surveillance challenge privacy norms in the future? According to the World Health Organization, public health surveillance is critical to containing the pandemic. However, can enhanced surveillance during a public health crisis set precedents for digital surveillance in the future?

Africa
Coronavirus

Feature

Jul 26, 2020

App stores in focus

By Trey Herr, June Lee, Will Loomis, and Stewart Scott

App stores and hubs are a popular target for software supply chain attacks on large numbers of users, exploiting trust in proprietary app ecosystems and the security of storefronts like Play Store and App Store.

Cybersecurity
Technology & Innovation

Feature

Jul 26, 2020

Deep impact: States and software supply chain attacks

By Trey Herr, June Lee, Will Loomis, and Stewart Scott

States have used software supply chain attacks to great effect. Hijacked updates have routinely delivered the most crippling state-backed attacks, thanks in part to a continued failure to secure the code-signing process.

China
Cybersecurity

Trackers and Data Visualizations

Jul 26, 2020

Software supply chain security: The dataset

By Will Loomis, Stewart Scott, Trey Herr, Sara Ann Brackett, Nancy Messieh, and June Lee

Want to dive deeper into the Breaking Trust database? You have come to the right place.

Cybersecurity
Technology & Innovation

Report

Jul 26, 2020

Breaking trust: Shades of crisis across an insecure software supply chain

By Dr. Trey Herr, William Loomis, Stewart Scott, June Lee

Software supply chain security remains an under-appreciated domain of national security policymaking. Working to improve the security of software supporting private sector enterprise as well as sensitive Defense and Intelligence organizations requires more coherent policy response together industry and open source communities.

Cybersecurity
Defense Technologies

Conflict, Risk, and Tech

Jul 22, 2020

Troubled vision: Understanding recent Israeli–Iranian offensive cyber exchanges

By JD Work and Richard Harknett

Reported Iranian intrusions against Israeli critical infrastructure networks and alleged Israeli actions against Iranian proliferation-associated targets pose substantial new challenges to understanding ongoing competition and conflict in the Middle East.

Cybersecurity
Iran

In the News

Jul 20, 2020

Sherman interviewed on Cornell Law School’s “A Law in Common” podcast on the US-India tech relationship

Cybersecurity
Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2020

Nine cyberattacks that will remind you of your ex

By Safa Shahwan Edwards

Just as you should be wary of reconnecting with someone who should probably be left in the past, keep an eye out for an increase in cyber incidents. In preparation for the very real possibility of exes coming out of the woodwork and cyber incidents making the news, we’ve identified nine cyberattacks that will remind you of your ex.

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

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