About the Strategy Challenge
Now in its fifteenth year, the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge is a one-of-a-kind competition designed to provide students across various academic disciplines a deeper understanding of the policy and strategy challenges encountered during a cyber crisis. Part interactive learning experience and part competitive scenario exercise, it challenges students to respond to a realistic, evolving international cyber crisis scenario; analyze the threat it poses to national, international, and private-sector interests; and recommend the best course of action to address it.
Since its founding in Washington, DC, in 2012, the competition has expanded globally, with regional competitions across the United States and in France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Uzbekistan. This growth has been driven by partnerships with universities, governments, and policy research organizations—combining the experience and convening power of the Atlantic Council with the local expertise and network of its regional partners.
Why Cyber 9/12?
For years, policymakers have explored what a catastrophic cyberattack might look like—with terms like “Cyber Pearl Harbor” or “Cyber 9/11” regularly referenced in the US. In 2012, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative took this debate and examined it from a different point of view, based on two questions: In anticipation of national cyber crises, like a Cyber 9/11, how can we train future cyber policy leaders to handle the crisis? How can we prepare them for the day after the incident, the Cyber 9/12?
What began as a pioneering competition has grown into one of the world’s leading competitions of its kind, with an internationally recognized brand and an immersive experience for students interested in cyber policy.
Upcoming competition schedule
Dates and additional locations will be added soon. Please be sure to check our page, our LinkedIn, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) regularly for updates.
Resources
Global Footprint
Competition Objectives
Where Cyber 9/12 Alumni Land
The program has trained a diverse global cohort since its founding, many of whom remain engaged as judges and mentors around the world. Cyber 9/12 alumni are recruited for their technical understanding and knowledge of cyber policy and go on to roles across government, industry, civil society, and academia. Many have gone on to roles at organizations including the following:
Testimonials
Presented By
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.