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Institute for Security and Technology

The Critical Action Think Tank

The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) is the 501(c)(3) critical action think tank that unites technology and policy leaders to create solutions to emerging security challenges.

About IST

Blog

Q&A: On Disrupting the Ransomware Ecosystem

What is a tabletop exercise, or TTX? How can TTXs be deployed in the ransomware context? In the latest edition of The TechnologIST, IST's Sophia Mauro sits down with Director for Digital Security Taylor Grossman to learn more about a recent TTX and IST's efforts to support disruption of the ransomware ecosystem.
blockchain, cryptocurrency, cyber, cybersecurity, disruption, Ransomware, TTX
October 21, 2025

Announcement

Announcing the Energy FIRST Initiative at IST, led by Dr. Steven Burns

IST is announcing the launch of Energy FIRST, an initiative to fortify the reliability, affordability, and security of the energy systems that power modern life and national defense, led by IST Vice President for Energy and National Security Dr. Steven Burns.
critical infrastructure, cyber-physical, energy, grid, national security, power, resilience, security
October 6, 2025

Blog

Q&A: National security, competition, and risk reduction — AI at IST

As AI models continue to proliferate and gain prominence, what are the cross-sector implications for national security, strategic competitiveness, and more? In this month's edition of the TechnologIST, Lillian Ilsley-Greene sat down with IST AI experts Jennifer Tang, Gabrielle Tran, and Fatima Faisal Khan to hear about how their work addresses the potential risks and opportunities of AI.
AI, antitrust, CFIUS, China, chips, competition, national security, NVIDIA, outbound investment, TechnologIST, venture capital
August 29, 2025

Announcement

IST Statement on President Trump’s AI Action Plan and Related Executive Orders

In February, IST submitted comments in response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s request for information on the development of an AI Action Plan. We were heartened to see many of the key issues we raised reflected in the Trump Administration’s recent AI executive orders.
AI, artificial intelligence, chips, compute, distributed energy, energy security, export control, national security, risk reduction
July 25, 2025

Announcement

Institute for Security and Technology Announces Renewed Support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies to Advance the Future of Digital Security

The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) is excited to announce renewed support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies for our efforts to carry out a multi-pronged approach to protect, empower, and improve overall digital security preparedness and resilience, especially that of state and local governments and small- and medium-sized businesses.
counter ransomware initiative, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, Future of Digital Security, prepare, Ransomware, respond, SLTT
July 23, 2025

Blog

Q&A: Separating the hype from reality

Nuclear command, control, and communications systems are often called the “fourth leg” of the U.S. nuclear enterprise. In this month’s edition of the TechnologIST, IST Deputy Director of Nuclear Policy Sylvia Mishra joined us for a Q&A about IST’s recent primer on NC3 systems, drafted for a workshop focused on the integration of AI and NC3.
AI, NC3, nuclear
July 8, 2025

Announcement

$3.2 million from Craig Newmark Philanthropies accelerates IST’s UnDisruptable27 effort to protect our nation’s critical infrastructure

At Critical Effect DC, Craig Newmark announced additional funding of $3.2 million across two years to accelerate UnDisruptable27. The ambitious, time-sensitive effort, led by non-profit think tank Institute for Security and Technology (IST), is focused on protecting our nation's most vulnerable lifeline infrastructure from nation-state adversaries.
critical infrastructure, funding, hospitals, power, public safety, water
June 12, 2025

Podcast

The Coming Age of Agentic AI

In this episode of TechnologIST Talks, IST CEO Philip Reiner is joined by Dr. Margaret Mitchell, a computer scientist and researcher focused on machine learning and ethics informed AI development, to discuss agentic, autonomous, and transparent models – and the pathway to truly secure AI.
Agentic AI, AI, Autonomous AI, ethical AI, machine learning
May 29, 2025

Announcement

IST Launching AI Chip Export Control Initiative with Support from Open Philanthropy 

Malicious actors continue to exploit loopholes to access the powerful microprocessors required to train AI. IST, with support from Open Philanthropy, is launching an effort to investigate compliance failure and develop a framework to strengthen AI chip export policy & enforcement.
AI, chips, dual-use, microprocessors, national security
May 28, 2025

Blog

Q&A: The Strategic Potential of Cyber Insurance

In a new report, IST makes the case that cyber insurance has the strategic potential to be more than a passive player that uses annual renewal conversations around premiums to drive change. By becoming more active in their recommendations about cybersecurity products and services, cyber insurers can actually help their policyholders achieve better proactive, pre-incident cybersecurity.
bundling, cyber insurance, cyber resilience, cyber risk, cybersecurity, risk-mitigation, underwriting
April 29, 2025

Announcement

IST Announces New Cyber, AI Adjunct Advisors 

Experts in the fields of cybersecurity, quantum, AI, and more, the Institute for Security and Technology (IST)’s adjunct advisors work closely with our core team to identify emerging security challenges and translate discourse into action. Today, IST is honored to announce the addition of five new adjunct advisors to our Future of Digital Security and Geopolitics of Technology efforts.
AI, announcements, artificial intelligence, cyber, hiring, quantum, security
April 24, 2025

Announcement

IST at RSA 2025: Zeroing in on hybrid warfare, ransomware, phishing, and more

Core to our mission at IST is our belief that we achieve more when industry, government, and civil society come together in pursuit of a common goal. We’re proud to join the global community of cyber experts convening in San Francisco next week for RSA Conference!
artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure, cybercrime, cybersecurity, national security, phishing, Ransomware, systemic defense
April 23, 2025

Announcement

Cyber policy experts join IST’s Future of Digital Security team

IST is excited to announce the addition of Nicholas Leiserson as Senior Vice President for Policy, Michael Klein as Senior Director for Preparedness and Response, and Tory Igoe as Future of Digital Security Associate to our Future of Digital Security team.
critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital security, incentives, operational collaboration, Ransomware, resilience
April 22, 2025

Blog

Q&A: Defending Our Lifeline Sectors

We are too dependent on undependable things. What can we do about it? In this month’s edition of the TechnologIST, we sat down with IST Executive in Residence for Public Safety & Resilience Joshua Corman to learn more about UnDisruptable27.
critical infrastructure, cyber, cyber offense, hybrid warfare, ICS, Industrial Control System, OT, resilience, Volt Typhoon, water
March 31, 2025

Blog

Q&A: Reflecting on IST’s Mission in Action

In the February 2025 newsletter, on the heels of recent gatherings of the world's most prominent technology and policy leaders, members of IST leadership reflected on what they heard, what seems to be missing from global dialogue, and what IST can do about it.
AI, critical infrastructure, cyber, cybersecurity, Munich Cyber Security Conference, Paris Peace Forum, Public-private partnerships, Ransomware, WEF
February 28, 2025
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