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

Issue Brief

Feb 8, 2024

Future-proofing the Cyber Safety Review Board

By Maia Hamin, Trey Herr, Stewart Scott, Alphaeus Hanson

The Cyber Safety Review Board seeks to examine and learn from complex failures in cyberspace. As Congress considers how to design its next iteration, there are ways to make it more effective and adaptable for the increasing challenges to come.

Cybersecurity

Article

Jan 26, 2024

The great despiser: The BSA, memory safety, and how to make a good argument badly

By Stewart Scott

Memory-safe programming languages are in the cyber policy mainstream, but some hesitation remains. Looking at the arguments around memory safety is informative for larger cyber policy debates too.

Cybersecurity

The 5×5

Jan 24, 2024

The 5×5—Forewarned is forearmed: Cybersecurity policy in 2024

By Nitansha Bansal, Trey Herr

Members of the Cyber Statecraft Initiative team discuss the regulatory requirements and emerging technology they are closely following in 2024, and forewarn of the year ahead.

Cybersecurity

Report

Jan 16, 2024

Design questions in the software liability debate

By Maia Hamin, Sara Ann Brackett, and Trey Herr, with Andy Kotz

Software liability—resurgent in the policy debate since its mention in the 2023 US National Cybersecurity Strategy—describes varied potential structures to create legal accountability for vendors of insecure software. This report identifies key design questions for such regimes and tracks their discussion through the decades-long history of the debate.

Cybersecurity

The 5×5

Dec 13, 2023

The 5×5—2023: The cybersecurity year in review

By Simon Handler

A group of Atlantic Council fellows review the past year in cybersecurity, which organizations and initiatives made positive steps, and areas for improvement going forward. 

Cybersecurity National Security

Uncategorized

Dec 5, 2023

2024 DC Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge

By Cyber Statecraft Initiative

The Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, in partnership with American University’s School of International Service and Washington College of Law, will hold the twelfth annual Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge both virtually and in-person in Washington, DC on March 15-16, 2024. This event will be held in a hybrid format, meaning teams are welcome to attend either […]

Cybersecurity

The 5×5

Nov 29, 2023

The 5×5—Veteran perspectives on cyber workforce development

By Simon Handler, Nitansha Bansal

In honor of National Military Veterans and Families Month, a group of veterans discuss their transitions from the military to the cyber workforce and suggest ways to improve the process for others. 

Cybersecurity National Security

Report

Nov 13, 2023

This job post will get you kidnapped: A deadly cycle of crime, cyberscams, and civil war in Myanmar

By Emily Ferguson and Emma Schroeder

In Myanmar, cybercrime has become an effective vehicle through which nonstate actors can fund and perpetuate conflict.

Cybersecurity Indo-Pacific

Cybersecurity, Strategy, and Policy

Oct 30, 2023

Homogeneity and concentration in the browser

By Justin Sherman and Jessica Edelson

Web browsers are the gateway to the internet. As browser developers replicate design features and concentrate around shared underlying technologies, they create cybersecurity risks with the potential to impact many internet users at once.

Cybersecurity Internet

The 5×5

Oct 27, 2023

The 5×5—The cybersecurity implications of artificial intelligence

By Maia Hamin, Simon Handler

A group of experts with diverse perspectives discusses the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence 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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