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

Apr 21, 2020

The 5×5—On viral infections online and in the real world

By Simon Handler

Cybersecurity often gets reduced to breaches and hacking, but the world has witnessed multiple pandemics in cyberspace and could learn more about response to exponential events.

Coronavirus
Cybersecurity

In the News

Apr 15, 2020

Sherman quoted in Slate on Russia censoring false information about the coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus
Disinformation

In the News

Apr 10, 2020

Sherman in WIRED: The US Is Waging War on Digital Trade Barriers

By Atlantic Council

AS DIGITAL TRADE barriers rise throughout the world, so do swings at knocking them down. In the past two months, the US Trade Representative released two reports on China and Russia’s World Trade Organization compliance. Just last week, the European Union opened its landmark General Data Protection Regulation to public comments, many of which will surely attack perceived trade barriers. “Barriers to […]

Digital Policy
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2020

Closing the cyber skills gap: Nine perspectives on Cyber 9/12

By Will Loomis

Cyber 9/12 was a resounding success, with twenty-two teams, over forty-five judges, and six keynote speakers participating virtually from across the United States. We asked nine individuals who contributed to Cyber 9/12 DC in different ways to share their insights, experiences, and takeaways from the event.

Cybersecurity

In the News

Apr 8, 2020

Sherman in Defense One: Putin Takes Another Step in Bid to Control Russia’s Internet

By Atlantic Council

As Vladimir Putin pushes ahead with a plan to create a domestic internet he can control, his government is concentrating more regulatory authority in Roskomnadzor, the internet and media regulator, to make that happen.  A couple of weeks ago, several regulatory authorities were shifted to Roskomnadzor from the agency it is ostensibly part of: the Ministry of Digital […]

Cybersecurity
Internet

Capacity Building Initiative

Apr 8, 2020

Learning on the fly through Cyber 9/12

By Jocelyn Murray, Andrew Milligan, David Mendez, and Puneet Singh

In the rapidly changing climate of cybersecurity today, the field is about far more than technical lessons and education. For our team, Cyber 9/12 opened brand new doors in the cyber policy and strategy space.

Cybersecurity

In the News

Apr 2, 2020

Sherman in Lawfare: Unpacking TikTok, Mobile Apps and National Security Risks

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy
National Security

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2020

Russia orders tech platforms to remove coronavirus “fake news”

By Justin Sherman

The Russian government has been actively engaged in spreading disinformation and misinformation around the pandemic. The Kremlin has also been active in ordering internet platforms operating in the country to remove coronavirus “fake news” from their platforms, which follows previous Kremlin efforts to crack down on independent internet sites offering legitimate news.

Coronavirus
Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Mar 24, 2020

The 5×5—Minding the cyber talent gap

By Simon Handler

Defending against threats in cyberspace is hard enough, but severe cybersecurity talent deficiencies have consistently made the challenge harder for both public and private sector organizations. Our Cyber Statecraft Initiative experts go 5×5 to dig into the people problem of cybersecurity, its implications, and possible solutions.

Cybersecurity

Press Release

Mar 23, 2020

Atlantic Council’s Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge wraps up its third year in London

UK Minister for Digital Infrastructure hails Cyber 9/12’s “fantastic” work in developing the UK’s “cyber leaders of the future”

Cybersecurity
United Kingdom

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:

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  • 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
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