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

Jul 3, 2013

The Future of US Cyber Command

By Jason Healey

For months it has been an entertaining parlor game in the nation’s capital: guessing what will happen next with U.S. Cyber Command, the military organization designed to defend the country’s networks and attack its adversaries. The topic will increasingly be in the spotlight as the head of that command, General Keith Alexander, is also the […]

Cybersecurity
Security & Defense

Event Recap

Jun 24, 2013

Cyber Experts Weigh in on Threat of Chinese Cyber Espionage

By Jason Harmala

In order to further the discussion of Chinese cyber threats, on June 24, the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security hosted Mr. Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder and CTO of CrowdStrike Inc.; Dr. James Mulvenon, vice president of the Intelligence Division of Defense Group, Inc.; and Dr. Gregory Rattray, CEO and founding partner of Delta Risk. This discussion […]

Event Recap

Jun 17, 2013

Taking Cyber to the Hill: The Future of Internet Governance

On Monday, June 17, 2013, the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, held a discussion on Capitol Hill about the future of Internet governance with Dr. Greg Rattray, CEO and founder of Delta Risk, and Dr. Paul Twomey, former president of ICANN and founder of Argo P@cific. The discussion, moderated by the Atlantic Council’s Mr. Jason Healey, director of the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, was coordinated with the office of Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), who also delivered closing remarks in which he emphasized the importance of an open Internet for both American prosperity and the promoting freedom worldwide.

Cybersecurity

Cyber 9/12 Project

Jun 15, 2013

Inaugural Student Competition Features Day-after Responses to Major Cyber Attack

On June 15, the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), held the first student competition devoted to high-level policy recommendations for day-after responses to a major cyber attack.

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2013

Social Media: A Revolution in Military Affairs

By William Edwards

With the two year anniversary of the “Arab Awakening” recently behind us, the emergence of social media as a tool of social change in modern conflict became clear. The use of Facebook, Twitter, and now YouTube has shown revolutionary thought. In particular it demonstrated that anyone could arrange military support in an encrypted communications environment […]

Cybersecurity
Intelligence

Books

May 30, 2013

A Fierce Domain: Conflict in Cyberspace, 1986 to 2012

A Fierce Domain: Conflict in Cyberspace, 1986-2012 is the first book of its kind — a comprehensive, accessible history of cyber conflict. A Fierce Domain reaches back to look at the major “wake-up calls,” the major conflicts that have forced the realization that cyberspace is a harsh place where nations and others contest for superiority. […]

Cybersecurity
Security & Defense

Event Recap

May 22, 2013

15th Anniversary of PDD-63: History of Cyber Critical Infrastructure Protection

On May 22, 2013, the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative held a discussion on the history of cyber critical infrastructure protection in recognition of the 15th anniversary of Presidential Decision Directive 63 (PDD-63).

Cybersecurity
Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Apr 19, 2013

Useless Speculation on Twitter Standard Time

By James Joyner

Since the news broke this morning that the likely perpetrators of the Boston Marathon bombing are two brothers from Chechnya, speculation has been rampant about their ties to militant groups there. That zero evidence supports that proposition seems irrelevant. We’re on Twitter Standard Time and we expect answers instantaneously.

Cybersecurity
National Security

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2013

Chinese Cyber Espionage: US Must Shout but Also Listen

By Jason Healey

After years of silence, the United States has finally had enough of Chinese cyber-theft of trade secrets. American officials have repeatedly raised the issue with their Chinese counterparts in language that is increasingly frank.

China
Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Apr 17, 2013

Stuxnet and the Dawn of Algorithmic Warfare

By Jason Healey

Though autonomous, destructive robots are a long-time, hackneyed science fiction plot, for some time, this new kind of warfare has been shifting from yesterday’s movie to today’s reality. But unforeseen by the imaginations of both headline and science fiction writers, it was not a missile-laden drone or humanoid Terminator that introduced this new kind of […]

Cybersecurity
Security & Defense

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.

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