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

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

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

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

New Atlanticist

Sep 6, 2011

Cyber Attacks Against NATO, Then and Now

By Jason Healey

Now that NATO’s Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR over Libya is winding down, it is worth noting how few cyber incidents were directed in protest against the Alliance.

Cybersecurity NATO

Issue Brief

Aug 8, 2011

On Cyber Peace

By Les Bloom and John Savage

In this Cyber Statecraft Initiative Issue Brief, Les Bloom of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and John Savage, a Professor of Computer Science at Brown University, argue that the best deterrence to cyber conflict is to aggressively pursue national and international risk mitigation at the same time that we explore steps to develop […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2011

Cyber Statecraft: Best and Worst Headlines

By Jason Healey

In the emerging world of “cyber” reporting, accurate headlines are less common than unicorns. This blog, the first of a recurring series, will highlight the single best and many worst headlines about cyber statecraft for the second quarter of 2011. If it seems unfair to you to have only one winner, but many losers, then you […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 20, 2011

Cyber Leadership Gap Looms at DoD

By Jason Healey

The Department of Defense has just crossed a major milestone, finally releasing their new “Cyber 3.0” Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace as well as having been deeply involved in the White House’s International Strategy for Cyberspace.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2011

Cyber Statecraft: Linking Geeks and Wonks to Respond to National Security Incidents

By Jason Healey

There are many reasons why cyber conflict is considered an awkward and destabilizing national security problem. One of the more overlooked is the gap between the technical elite and senior politicians and policymakers, a disconnect that could become tragic during fast-moving cyber conflicts.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 14, 2011

Pentagon’s New Cyber Strategy

By Jason Healey

The Department of Defense’s new cyber strategy, (known as “Cyber 3.0” in the Pentagon) is being released this afternoon and many cyber security professionals who read it may be disappointed that it does not say more. While there is some validity to that concern the strategy does cover important new ground on the most pressing needs […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 14, 2011

NATO and Strategic Cyber Capabilities

By Jason Healey

NATO must transform itself in order to deal with cyber threats and opportunities. Although currently on a strong course with a new cyber strategy, recently approved by the national defense ministers, the Alliance still has a long way yet to go.

Cybersecurity NATO

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.
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