Technology has the potential to unlock greater knowledge, enhance our collective capabilities, and create new opportunities for growth and innovation. However, insecure, negligent, or exploitative technological advancements can threaten global security and stability. Anticipating these issues and guiding the development of trustworthy technology is essential to preserve what we all value.
The Institute for Security and Technology (IST), the 501(c)(3) critical action think tank, stands at the forefront of this imperative, uniting policymakers, technology experts, and industry leaders to identify and translate discourse into impact. We take collaborative action to advance national security and global stability through technology built on trust, guiding businesses and governments with hands-on expertise, in-depth analysis, and a global network.
Vision
A democratic world secured and empowered by technology built on trust.
Mission
To unite technology and policy leaders to create actionable solutions to emerging security challenges.
Ongoing Initiatives
- AI Risk Reduction Initiative
- Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing
- Applied Trust & Safety
- CATALINK
- Generative Identity Initiative
- Open Source Software Security Initiative
- Ransomware Task Force
- Strategic Balancing Initiative
- Undisruptable27
Our Values
- Build trust: We foster trust between government, technology, and civil society by prioritizing open communication, transparency, and collaboration.
- Act with accountability: We value integrity over self-interest and hold ourselves and our work to the highest standards of ethics and transparency.
- Anticipate what’s ahead: We leverage our analytical insights, deep experience, and network of experts to foresee and address potential risks of technological innovation.
- Encourage inclusivity: We promote diverse perspectives and approaches over uniform, homogeneous thinking to produce better analysis, insights, and outcomes.
- Take action: We operate with agility and a sense of urgency to address emerging security challenges in a rapidly shifting technology and policy landscape.
Support IST
Our success would be unimaginable without the many foundations, organizations, government entities, and individuals who support our work.
Meet our team
IST draws on an extensive, global network of experts and leaders to execute its mission.
Explore our research
IST regularly publishes large-scale reports, briefings, and one-pagers based on in-depth research, subject-matter working groups, surveys, and interviews.
Understand our values
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We embrace the velocity of 21st technological change, while managing the risk. This requires trust, a tactile understanding of the tech, and a deep national security policy expertise. That’s what sets us apart as a think tank.”
Philip Reiner Chief Executive Officer -
To have enduring beneficial impact, technology must account for security. Our work seeks to push that interest to the top of the list.”
Megan Stifel Chief Strategy Officer -
Today’s technology risks can implicate our very way of life—including availability of essential services, U.S. economic competitiveness, and global security. We must urgently confront them head-on.”
Steve Kelly Chief Trust Officer -
IST is at the cutting-edge of tech and security, designing solutions to enhance the security of the global commons.”
Emma Hollingsworth Director of Development and Partnerships -
We don’t just theorize — we take action. Issuing recommendations for government or the public sector is just the first step. We follow through, tracking implementation, issuing new guidance, and ultimately endeavoring to make the world safer and more secure.
Sophia Mauro Director of Strategic Communications -
What sets IST apart is its ability to innovate. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
Nikki Mays Director of Human Resources
