Archive

cybersecurity

Building an Interoperable HBOM Ecosystem for Energy Sector Supply Chain Security

Hardware supply-chain security is national security, particularly when a compromised component can threaten the resilience of the power grid. Securing complex bulk-power and other critical infrastructure systems requires visibility into all the underlying components. In a policy memo, Allan Friedman and Nicholas Leiserson make the case for Hardware Bills of Materials as an essential foundation of real grid resilience.

bill of materials, bulk power, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, demand, energy, grid resilience, national security, resilience, risk management, supply, supply chain

October 15, 2026

Episode 54: Securing What Feeds Us

“There is so much tech in our food and agriculture industry now that is touching our food on some level… we are creating the potential for a foodborne illness to happen from a cyber attack.” Hack the Plant host Bryson Bort sits down with Kristen King, host of the Bites and Bytes podcast, on why food and agriculture remain a dangerously overlooked piece of critical infrastructure.

critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, food security, ICS, OT

October 14, 2026

The Clear, the Muddy, and the Insoluble of the Administration’s Cyber Operations National Security Presidential Memorandum

The administration’s Cyber Operations National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) sets out to enlist private contractors to execute offensive cyber operations against foreign criminal networks. But C-suite executives at companies with the ability to act at scale aren’t likely to take up operations that carry ill-defined legal and operational risks, writes Leonard Bailey.

contractors, cyber crime, cyber operations, cybersecurity, legal authority, national security, NSPM, offensive cyber, operational risk

October 9, 2026

AI-Powered Cyber Threats Further Exposing Society’s Fragile Foundations

AI-powered cyber threats are increasingly exposing the vulnerabilities in our critical infrastructure systems. For Claroty Nexus, IST Center for Advancing Cybersecurity President Nicholas Leiserson argues we can narrow the gap between malicious actors and cyber defenders with efforts like IST’s Fragile Foundations Sprint.

AI, artificial inteligence, critical infrastructure, cyber threats, cybersecurity, Fragile Foundations

September 30, 2026

E-Rate: A Lifeline With a Blind Spot

While schools across the country have become a popular target for malicious actors, they still lack the cybersecurity resources to defend themselves. In this webinar, IST brought together members of the Future of Universal Service Fund Reform Task Force, including former FCC staff and education industry leaders, to unpack their recommendations for the next evolution of the E-Rate program.

critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, E-Rate, K-12 Education, Universal Service Fund

September 23, 2026

September 14, 2026 3:00 pm

E-Rate: No Connectivity Without Cybersecurity

As schools face increasing cyber threats, the Future of Universal Service Fund Reform Task Force has issued recommendations for Congress to consider in the rewriting of the E-Rate Program. IST’s experts hosted this webinar with members of the task force to discuss their recommendations, the FCC’s cybersecurity pilot, and the broader context of E-Rate reform.

cybersecurity, E-Rate, Universal Service Fund

September 14, 2026

Between a Breach and a Hard Place: IST’s Michael Klein on the Canvas Leak

Three months after IST’s Michael Klein coordinated state leadership in response to the Canvas breach, Klein reflects on navigating a situation which, due to the lack of federal capacity and authority, left him feeling like “one person holding together a sector.” But what can feel like an overwhelming task for one person actually represented the powerful collaboration of K-12 Cyber Defense Coalition members from across the education & cybersecurity communities.

critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, data breach, education, Ransomware, school, ShinyHunters, university

September 10, 2026

The Institute for Security and Technology Launches Centers Addressing Strategic Stability and Cybersecurity Challenges

Reflecting the rapidly evolving global security landscape and the organization's own significant growth, IST is launching two new Centers for applied research and policy development: The Center for Advancing Cybersecurity and the Perry-Shultz Center for Technology & Strategic Stability.

artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, nuclear risk reduction, strategic stability

September 10, 2026

Episode 53: From DC to Sacramento: Building Resilient Critical Infrastructure and OT Workforces

“Securing critical infrastructure is not one person’s job. You bring multiple people, multiple teams with different expertise to come together.” Hack the Plant is back for season 6! In this special premiere episode, our host Bryson Bort sits down with IST’s Josh Corman, Clutch’s James Regan, and Palto Alto Network’s Adam Robbie.

Critical Effect DC, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, IT, OT

September 9, 2026

What 111 National Security Practitioners and Policymakers Actually Think About Artificial Intelligence

IST recently released the results of a survey asking national security professionals about their views on artificial intelligence. In this month’s edition of The TechnologIST, Sophia Mauro compiled top takeaways and striking quotes from the survey’s launch event.

AGI, AI, artificial intelligence, biological weapons, China, cybersecurity, military, national security, nuclear weapons, superintelligence

September 8, 2026

September 3, 2026 12:00 pm

AMA: Exploring the Presidential Memorandum on Combating Transnational Cyber-Enabled Crime

The Trump Administration recently announced a program to enlist vetted private companies in cyber operations against foreign cybercriminals. IST recently hosted a webinar unpacking the news. Due to popular demand, we’re back to host a pop-up AMA webinar!

Cyber Strategy, cybercrime, cybersecurity, offensive cyber

September 3, 2026

September 2, 2026 1:30 pm

AI and the Future of National Security: Results From a Landmark Survey of 111 National Security Policy Professionals

IST, in partnership with the Future of Life Institute, conducted the first unclassified survey of national security practitioners to cut through the hype and identify the risks and opportunities that experts see in advanced AI deployment. On Wednesday, September 2, report authors and contributing experts joined a launch event to celebrate the report’s release, share key findings, and explore what’s next for AI in national security.

artificial inteligence, cybersecurity, military, national security

September 2, 2026

AI and the Future of National Security: Findings from a survey of 100+ national security practitioners on the opportunities and risks of advanced AI deployment in military, cybersecurity, intelligence, and CBRN

A landmark survey of 111 national security experts by the Institute for Security and Technology reveals urgent concerns over AI catastrophic risks, nuclear integration, and policy unreadiness.

AI, AI governance, AI risk, artificial intelligence, bioweapons, cyber defense, cybersecurity, national policy, national security

September 2, 2026

Safety Takes a Back Seat: IST Releases AI and the Future of National Security Survey

In a survey released today by the Institute for Security and Technology and with support from the Future of Life Institute, a majority of national security experts see the risk of an AI-caused catastrophe at or above their tolerance for continuing to pursue global AI leadership.

AGI timelines, AI governance, AI risk, ASI, bioweapons, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, national security, nuclear

September 2, 2026

Inside the Presidential Memorandum on Transnational Cyber-Enabled Crime

IST friends and experts hosted a pop-up webinar to examine the recent presidential memorandum on combating transnational cyber-enabled crime. Featuring Jen Ellis, Jason Kikta, Leonard Bailey, Nicholas Leiserson, and Megan Stifel, the discussion covered the ethical, strategic, and legal implications of deputizing private companies to carry out these operations.

cyber crime, Cyber Strategy, cybersecurity, offensive cyber

August 27, 2026

IST Launches the Fragile Foundations Sprint to Confront AI Cyber Disruption to Life Safety Critical Functions

IST is convening the Fragile Foundations Sprint, developed by Joshua Corman and led and coordinated by Jen Ellis and David Batz, to lay the groundwork for pragmatic guidance and future action to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure against AI-powered cyber threats.

artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, Industrial Control Systems, Operational Technology

August 27, 2026