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Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge analysis

Blog Post Dec 20, 2024

In it to win it: Understanding cyber policy through a simulated crisis 

By Safa Shahwan Edwards and Emerson Johnston

Competitors and judges from the Cape Town Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge share their perspectives on the competition’s impact on the African cybersecurity landscape.
Cybersecurity South Africa
Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge analysis

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

Latest analysis

Cyber 9/12 Project

Dec 15, 2025

From simulation to strategy: How Cyber 9/12 prepares students for real-world cyber crises

By Safa Shahwan Edwards and Rohannah Shrestha

Competitors and judges from the 2025 New York City Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge share their reflections on the competition’s scenario and cyber workforce development.

Cybersecurity

Capacity Building Initiative

Oct 22, 2025

Cyber policy in action: A glimpse into the 2025 DC Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

By Michelle Jin and Safa Shahwan Edwards

Competitors and judges from the 2025 Washington, DC Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge share their perspectives on the competition’s role in cyber workforce development.

Cybersecurity

Blog Post

Dec 20, 2024

In it to win it: Understanding cyber policy through a simulated crisis 

By Safa Shahwan Edwards and Emerson Johnston

Competitors and judges from the Cape Town Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge share their perspectives on the competition’s impact on the African cybersecurity landscape.

Cybersecurity
South Africa

Capacity Building Initiative

Nov 20, 2024

Seizing the win: Navigating competition and hands-on learning through Cyber 9/12 

By Safa Shahwan Edwards and Emerson Johnston

Competitors and judges from the inaugural Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge in Costa Rica share their perspectives on how to leverage teamwork and interdisciplinary skills to address tomorrow’s cyber challenges.

Cybersecurity
Latin America

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

Feb 28, 2024

The 5×5—Alumni perspectives on Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

By Nitansha Bansal, Isabella Wright

Alumni of Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge share their experiences, and discuss the impact of such simulated exercises to prepare for real life cyber attacks.

Cybersecurity

Cyber 9/12 Project

Aug 3, 2022

2022 Washington, DC Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge Playbook

Rockshot, Standingpalm, Software, Shoot! Scenario Summary Intelligence Report I Intelligence Report I Recommendations Intelligence Report II Intelligence Report II Recommendations Intelligence Report III Intelligence Report III Briefings Intelligence Report III Recommendations Scenario Summary In November 2022, while Qatar was hosting the , staff at the noticed a water-cooling issue within the plant. The staff managed […]

Cybersecurity

Cyber 9/12 Project

Jun 27, 2022

Atlantic Council’s Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge expands to Scotland

The Abertay University cyberQuarter joins as a strategic partner for Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, the world’s only multidisciplinary cyber competition. WASHINGTON DC – JUNE 27, 2022 – The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, in partnership with the Scottish Government, Dewar Cyber Consulting, and Abertay University, will host the inaugural edition of the Cyber 9/12 Strategy […]

Cyber 9/12 Project

Aug 9, 2021

2021 Washington, DC Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge Playbook

It’s the Pirated Life for Me: Software, Sanctions and the Deep Blue Sea Scenario Summary Intelligence Report I Intelligence Report I Recommendations Intelligence Report II Intelligence Report II Recommendations Intelligence Report III Intelligence Report III Briefings Intelligence Report III Recommendations Scenario Summary This scenario takes place from February – July of 2021 and focuses on […]

Cybersecurity

Blog Post

Dec 3, 2020

Why we fight: Learning from the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

By Robert Carolina

Competitors finish the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge better prepared to communicate their ideas, better prepared to address the complex threat-filled environment presented by modern cybersecurity, and better prepared to contribute new ideas and new thinking that may someday help to reduce the risks of unnecessary conflict carried out through the cyber domain. These are all good reasons to compete.

Cybersecurity
Defense Policy

Explore the competition

The Cyber Statecraft Initiative’s Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge is an annual cyber policy and strategy competition where students from across the globe compete in developing policy recommendations tackling a fictional cyber catastrophe.

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Explore the program

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.

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