IST committed to incorporating its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging strategy into all aspects of our work, from hiring practices to organizational policies and external engagement. We are driven by a firm belief that our work to tackle emerging security risks must start with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all.

The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) affirms that the inequalities and injustices that affect any of us inevitably affect us all. The very essence of community strength—and security—begins with embracing and appreciating the benefits our differences bring.

Whether it be structural inequality, systemic racism, or unequal access to personal and professional opportunities, such phenomena make for ineffective organizations and jeopardize security at all levels, from individual to international.

Knowing this, we strive to make the following principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral to our daily work as they should be to the broader security spaces we aim to improve.

Systemic issues of inequality must be confronted on a daily basis, which begins with exploring how narratives, norms, and unconscious biases impact the presence of under-represented voices within our own networks and those of our partners.

We commit to continuing to incorporate diverse perspectives in our planning and research, and to actively seeking participation from those outside of traditional channels to help us gain a clearer view of the professional fields in which we engage.

Identity cannot be bound by anyone else’s terms. We recognize that each individual has their own background, ideas, voice, and a valuable impact to be respected in any room, but that too often, cultural expectations narrow sharply those perspectives.

We honor that individuals experience workplace culture differently. As a team we commit to open dialogue to understand one another, without invalidating one another if our own experience is not the same. 

Uneven access to opportunities contributes to unequal and ineffective systems. We recognize that improved access creates a more level playing field, which in turn creates a more effective and more secure field for everyone.

We commit to actively providing resources and facilitating access for all team members, partners, associates, and community members, regardless of rank or position.

When empowered by these principles, we believe we will be better positioned to identify security risks and design more effective solutions. As our learning evolves, we will continue to be introspective on these beliefs, review our principles regularly, and share our successes and failures with our team, partners, and community members.