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

Event Recap

Mar 12, 2013

State of Internet and Cybersecurity Governance

On Tuesday, March 12, 2013, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative of the Atlantic Council hosted a roundtable strategy session on the “State of Internet and Cybersecurity Governance” to encourage collaboration among key stakeholders from partner nations, US government officials, and the private sector.

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2013

Fighting Chinese Cyberespionage: Obama’s Next Move

By Jason Healey

Finally the Obama administration has come into the open in their calls against other nations’ stealing of trade secrets, especially through cyberespionage. The just-released “Administration Strategy on Mitigating the Theft of US Trade Secrets” is the next in a promised string of new cyber policies and actions from a newly invigorated White House. Like the […]

China
Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Feb 25, 2013

How the US Should Respond to Chinese Cyberespionage

By Jason Healey

A U.S. cybersecurity company has released details proving beyond any reasonable doubt that the Chinese military, through its Unit 61398, has intruded into at least 141 organizations over seven years, stealing terabytes of data from each. Now that attribution is clear (and, more importantly, public) the U.S. government has its best opportunity in years to […]

China
Cybersecurity

Event Recap

Feb 15, 2013

Strategy Session on the US Air Force and Cyber Operations

By Jason Harmala

On Friday, February 15, 2013, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative of the Atlantic Council hosted a roundtable discussion on the US Air Force and cyberspace operations with Lt Gen Michael Basla, the Air Force’s A6, chief of information dominance and chief information officer.

Event Recap

Feb 13, 2013

Ambiguities Remain with War Powers Resolution on Cyberspace

By Jason Harmala

On Wednesday, February 13, 2013 the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative held a panel discussion on the role of Congress in cyber conflict with a particular focus on the War Powers Resolution (WPR). Passed over the veto of President Nixon in 1973, the WPR requires the president to report to Congress when US forces are […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2013

Presidential Cyber Direction Looks Quite Familiar

By Jason Healey

 The actions in the president’s new executive order on cybersecurity are narrowly focused, best seen as small steps–the latest in a fifteen-year parade of five different White House documents across three presidencies.  These actions are worthwhile on their own, but are only a small step as executive orders do not create policy, just implement it […]

Cybersecurity
Security & Defense
White House

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2013

Real Cyber Reform Demands White House Leadership

By Kevin Gronberg

In the wake of Congress’s inability to pass comprehensive cyber legislation last year, the White House is poised to release an executive order on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. With this executive order, President Obama has the opportunity to hit the reset button and begin developing an effective national cybersecurity policy. It won’t change much on […]

Cybersecurity
National Security

Issue Brief

Nov 6, 2012

An Agenda for NATO-EU-Private Sector Cyber Collaboration

By Tom Parkhouse and Leendert van Bochoven

For the Smarter Alliance Initiative, Tom Parkhouse, senior fellow with the Cyber Statecraft Initiative of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, and Leendert van Bochoven emphasize in “An Agenda for NATO-EU-Private Sector Cyber Collaboration,” that a secure cyber environment will encourage investment in the Euro-Atlantic area, increase competitiveness of Euro-Atlantic business, and promote export […]

European Union
International Organizations

Issue Brief

Nov 6, 2012

Strategic Cyber Early Warning: A Phased Adaptive Approach for NATO

By Jason Healey and Leendert van Bochoven

In “Strategic Cyber Early Warning: A Phased Adaptive Approach for NATO,” a paper from the Smarter Alliance Initiative, Jason Healey, director of the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, and Leendert van Bochoven, NATO and European Defense leader at IBM, formulate steps for NATO to improve its cyber warning system Download the PDF

White House

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2012

Cyber Legislation and White House Executive Orders

By Jason Healey

Out of frustration over Congress’ failure to pass a new bill on cybersecurity, the White House appears to be getting closer to an executive order to push through some actions.

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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