Archive

cyber

Cybersecurity Considerations for Universal Service Fund Reform

Cybersecurity Considerations for Universal Service Fund Reform

As the speed, scope, and impact of cyber threats to K-12 schools continues to increase, Congress has expressed a clear desire to reinvigorate the Universal Service Fund (USF) through legislation. IST SVP for Policy Nicholas Leiserson explores how USF funding, through the FCC's E-Rate Program, could bolster cybersecurity resources for K-12 schools.

congress, cyber, cybersecurity, E-Rate, education, k-12, schools, Universal Service Fund, USF

July 25, 2025

Responding to the Unknown: Simulating AI-Driven Crises

Responding to the Unknown: Simulating AI-Driven Crises

In April, Mariami Tkeshelashvili and Jennifer Tang hosted an AI crisis simulation exercise at the Johns Hopkins SAIS Emerging Technologies Symposium. The hands-on exercise asked participants to explore challenges at the intersection of AI and national security, and used IST’s research to set the stage before diving into immersive crisis scenarios.

AI, cyber, national security, risk reduction, risk-mitigation, scenarios, workshop

May 13, 2025

IST Announces New Cyber, AI Adjunct Advisors

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

Q&A: Defending Our Lifeline Sectors

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

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

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

Announcing the Winners of the Second Annual Cyber Policy Awards™ Presented by Microsoft

Announcing the Winners of the Second Annual Cyber Policy Awards™ Presented by Microsoft

At the second annual Cyber Policy Awards™ celebration in Washington, D.C. this week, hosted by the Institute for Security and Technology (IST) in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and presented by Microsoft, recipients were announced and celebrated before a packed house of senior policy leaders, veteran cyber experts, and eminent members of industry.

cyber, Cyber Policy Awards, events, Microsoft, NIST, secure-by-design, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Wall Street Journal

February 7, 2025

Spotlighting Sponsors for the Second Cyber Policy Awards™ Presented by Microsoft

Spotlighting Sponsors for the Second Cyber Policy Awards™ Presented by Microsoft

Thank you to our presenting partner Microsoft for helping to make this landmark event possible. We also extend our deep appreciation to platinum level sponsor Craig Newmark Philanthropies, gold level sponsor Censys, silver level sponsors Silent Push, Paladin Capital Group, Perkins Coie LLP, and Fortinet, and bronze level sponsor Metabase Q.

cyber, Cyber Policy Awards, sponsors

February 5, 2025

Ransomware Task Force Announces New Funding and Partners for 2024 and Beyond

Ransomware Task Force Announces New Funding and Partners for 2024 and Beyond

The Institute for Security and Technology’s Ransomware Task Force, now in its fourth year of action, is excited to welcome Zscaler and Mastercard as new supporters. In addition, for 2024, we are grateful for the sustaining support of Craig Newmark Philanthropies, AWS, Bank of America, Banco Santander, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, with support from the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación of the Kingdom of Spain and the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy of the United States Department of State.

cyber, Cyber Civil Defense, cybersecurity, funding, Ransomware

December 19, 2024

The Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity: Shifting the Offense-Defense Balance

The Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity: Shifting the Offense-Defense Balance

Advances in AI present key cybersecurity opportunities, but how might malicious actors utilize the same technology? IST’s latest report investigates the state of existing and potential integrations of AI in cybersecurity based on our research & interviews with industry stakeholders and puts forward 7 priority recommendations.

agentic, AI, artificial intelligence, cyber, cybersecurity, deepfakes, offense-defense balance, software

October 10, 2024

IST pilot targets preparing hospitals, water systems for China-backed cyber threats

IST pilot targets preparing hospitals, water systems for China-backed cyber threats

Josh Corman sat down with Inside Cybersecurity’s Jacob Livesay to discuss the project and its aims. “For a long time, I’ve been saying we’re over-dependent on undependable things,” Josh explained.

critical infrastructure, cyber, hospital cybersecurity, water

August 14, 2024

Public Private Partnerships to Combat Ransomware: An inquiry into three case studies and best practices

Public Private Partnerships to Combat Ransomware: An inquiry into three case studies and best practices

IST, in collaboration with the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise and in support of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative, examines three existing public-private partnerships to combat ransomware: Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), the United States Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC), and the Institute for Security and Technology’s Ransomware Task Force (RTF). What challenges did they face? What does an ideal public-private partnership look like?

CISA, cyber, EC3, European Cybercrime Centre, JCDC, Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative, PPPs, Public-private partnerships, Ransomware

March 27, 2024

Episode 32: CISA’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Mission with Jen Easterly

Episode 32: CISA’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Mission with Jen Easterly

In this episode of Hack the Plant, Bryson sits down with CISA Director Jen Easterly to discuss her work on leading CISA’s critical infrastructure mission, implementing efforts to make products Secure by Design, and working with private companies to combat ransomware.

CISA, critical infrastructure, cyber, Ransomware

February 2, 2024

IST Provides Input on National AI Priorities

IST Provides Input on National AI Priorities

The IST team submitted a response to the request for information (RFI) from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Our feedback centers on the increased use of AI to automate technical analysis and identify software vulnerabilities.

artificial intelligence, cyber, LLMs, OSTP, RFI

July 7, 2023

Cyber Incident Reporting Framework

Cyber Incident Reporting Framework

The Framework lays out a set of model reporting formats the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) could use as the foundation for the cyber incident reporting.

CIRCIA, cyber, cybersecurity, incident reporting, Ransomware

November 3, 2022

The Hewlett Foundation Cyber Initiative Renews Commitment to the Institute for Security and Technology’s Ongoing Work

The Hewlett Foundation Cyber Initiative Renews Commitment to the Institute for Security and Technology’s Ongoing Work

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Cyber Initiative generously provided $1,000,000 in additional support for the Institute for Security and Technology (IST) for 2022. This funding will allow the organization to expand its work designing solutions to enhance the security of the global commons.

announcements, cyber, cybersecurity, Ransomware Task Force

July 12, 2022

Reading List: The Roles for Military and Law Enforcement in Combating Ransomware

Reading List: The Roles for Military and Law Enforcement in Combating Ransomware

As the ransomware threat spreads worldwide, there remains debate around how to best leverage all the government’s tools. The military has more capacity and resources, especially to launch offensive operations, while law enforcement has more tools for prosecution and international coordination. Leveraging the two is critical to successfully counter the spread of ransomware.

cyber, CYBERCOM, law enforcement, Ransomware, SolarWinds

December 14, 2021