Cyber Statecraft Initiative

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.

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

Cyber 9/12 Project

Mar 27, 2018

2018 US Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge

On Saturday, March 17, the Atlantic Council’s sixth annual Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge in Washington, DC, concluded with the Air Force Cyber College’s “Team Fightin’ Electrons” winning first place.

Cybersecurity

Cyber 9/12 Project

Mar 22, 2018

Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative Sixth Annual Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge Concludes in Washington, DC

The Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge is a one-of-a-kind competition designed to provide students across academic disciplines with a deeper understanding of the policy challenges associated with cyber crisis and conflict. Part interactive learning experience and part competitive scenario exercise, it challenges teams to respond to a realistic, evolving cyberattack and analyze the threat it poses to national, international, and private sector interests.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

In the News

Mar 8, 2018

Farkas Quoted in Real Clear on the Talk Between the U.S. and North Korea

By Evelyn Farkas

Read the full article here

Press Release

Mar 1, 2018

Atlantic Council Names Klara Jordan as Director of Cyber Statecraft Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC – The Atlantic Council today announced Klara Jordan as Director of the Cyber Statecraft Initiative in its Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Ms. Jordan will play a pivotal role in re-invigorating the Initiative’s work on cyberspace as a tool of statecraft, where national security overlaps with foreign policy and economic prosperity, while […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 21, 2018

How Meddling in Elections is Unraveling the International Liberal Order

By Klara Jordan

State and non-state actors are increasingly engaging in cyber conflict through a range of disruptive and destructive influence and interference operations. Among their targets? Elections. While election interference does not equal the existential threat of disintegration of nuclear nonproliferation regimes or the perils of climate change, together these challenges all contribute to what was the […]

In the News

Feb 15, 2018

Geers Quoted in WIRED on North Korea’s Olympic Diplomacy

By Kenneth Geers

Read the full article here

Korea

In the News

Feb 15, 2018

Galante Joins BBC to Discuss Russian Strategic Intent

By Laura Galante

Watch the full discussion here

Russia

Event Recap

Nov 30, 2017

Hacking the Election: Lessons from the DEF CON Voting Village

By Priscilla Kim

On October 10th, the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative and DEF CON hosted a public event on the vulnerabilities in US voting infrastructure and recommendations for a path forward in securing our democracy. Panelists included Ambassador Douglas Lute, former US permanent representative to NATO; Jeff Moss, founder of DEF CON and senior fellow for the […]

Cybersecurity Elections

New Atlanticist

Nov 15, 2017

NATO Takes Another Square on the Cyber Chessboard

By Kenneth Geers

The most effective solutions to persistent threats from cyberspace will come from international alliances such as the European Union (EU) and NATO, both of which have begun to take steps to bolster members’ resistance to cyberattacks from governments and non-state actors, a complex issue with a long history.  Last week, on November 10, NATO defense […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

Event Recap

Nov 7, 2017

Report Launch: Aviation Cybersecurity–Finding Lift, Minimizing Drag

By Safa Shahwan

On November 7, the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative launched its first-ever report on Aviation Cybersecurity—Finding Lift, Minimizing Drag, underwritten by Thales. The event featured a keynote by Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary for cybersecurity and communications at the US Department of Homeland Security.

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.