ECCRI provides a European venue for academic and policy dialogue on cyber conflict.

As a member-driven organization dedicated to making high-quality, original research accessible to policy-makers and the general public, ECCRI is the first organisation of its kind in Europe.

Fellowship Program

The ECCRI European Cybersecurity Fellowship is a year-long program to develop highly talented young European professionals who are interested in accelerating their career in cybersecurity policy.

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Research Workshops

Virtual Research Workshops provide cybersecurity researchers and practitioners with a platform to present and get feedback on research projects and papers.

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Research and Publications

ECCRI Cybersecurity Fellows attended IGF 2023 in Kyoto

24 Nov 2023

Cat Easdon and Dr. Ryan Payne (Queensland University of Technology) gave a presentation which discussed how privacy is an enabling right for other fundamental rights and freedoms. They introduced the concept of “Rights by Design” and provided examples of how rights protections can be designed into both the technology products we build and into tech policy.

Key takeaways:

  • Conducting a human rights impact assessment is crucial when developing a new product, feature, or tech policy, and there are frameworks to help support this, such as the Microsoft Harms Modeling Framework and PLOT4AI.
  • Organizations involved in technology development or policy making should introduce ethics and threat modeling training into their organizations to facilitate these human rights impact assessments.

Aideen Fay focused on Co-operative AI and its Governance Implications. The goal of the talk was to provide policy makers with a framework for thinking about multi-agent AI systems and a better understanding of how these systems fail. “In turn, I hope this helps policymakers adapt and develop effective policy in the face of the rapid progress in AI that is set to continue and accelerate,” notes Fay.

Nils Brinker’s talk “The new European toolbox for cybersecurity regulation” provided an overview of the current regulatory efforts of the European Union to foster IT security within the European market. It elaborated mainly on the NIS 2 directive, the Proposal for a Cyberresillience Act, and the Proposal for an AI Act. It elaborated on the difficulties of actually promoting IT-Security with regulatory means.

Key takeaways:

  • It was argued that risk management is generally an effective way of implementing better security measures. However, it is still a method prone to subjectivity. Therefore, selecting addresses for such obligations has to be carefully considered. Also, there have to be ways to make the conductor of the risk management aware of risks for third parties.
  • The complex landscape of actors, stakeholders, and regulations is something that must be considered. This complex landscape might result in the danger of promoting compliance over operational security by regulation.

Nils also reflects on the general experience at the IGF, “As a multistakeholder conference, the IGF was an excellent place to gain insights into opinions and experiences outside my own “bubble.” Especially when working on European regulation, there is always the danger of thinking a bit too “Eurocentric” about specific issues.”

“After my talk, there was plenty of engagement, giving feedback on interfering domains that might interact with the European security regulation, such as trade law, that are usually not considered within my own “bubble.” Therefore, the IGF was a good place to gain a broader view,” he notes.

Supporting the fellows in their professional journey, including through presenting their research and initiating necessary and relevant discussions in their field is one of the key objectives of the ECCRI Fellowship Program. The 2023-2024 European Cybersecurity Fellowship is made possible through a partnership with the Government of Malta, William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, Mandiant, now part of Google Cloud, and Microsoft. For more information on the Fellowship Program, see here.

Introducing Binding Hook: ECCRI’s Innovative Media Hub

07 Nov 2023

Why Binding Hook exists

The dance between emerging technology and security is intricate and ever-evolving. It adds complexity with each technological stride. As we push the boundaries of what technology can achieve, we are forced to urgently reflect on the security implications. How do we safeguard these innovations? How do we ensure they are harnessed for the greater good? Moreover, the priorities and objectives of (national) security not only respond to technological changes but also actively shape technological development and adoption. At Binding Hook, our mission is to untangle these complexities, providing a platform that sheds light on the synergy and friction between technology and security.

The name “Binding Hook” encapsulates our mission to connect and captivate, to bind diverse stories and hook our readers. We wanted a title that was versatile and adaptive, reflecting the dynamic landscape of technology and security. As these fields evolve, so too will the nature and scope of our platform. This flexibility means we can stay relevant, expand our horizons, and continually develop along with our subject matter.

What we offer – a European base with a global voice

While Binding Hook is rooted in Europe, our vision is global. We invite voices from all corners of the world to join our conversation, recognising that – especially in a digitally interconnected world – issues of technology and security do not respect regional boundaries. We cherish diverse and underrepresented perspectives. We believe that they lead to a richer, more comprehensive understanding of global affairs.

Navigating Binding Hook – our three sections

Our platform is organised into three sections, each tailored for a unique type of submission:

  • Binding Edge: This section features op-ed style pieces. Writers voice their opinions, critiques, and visions, offering a fresh and accessible take on the most pressing issues at the intersection of security and technology.
  • Hooked on Trends: Diving into Hooked on Trends, you will find pieces analysing patterns in the tech-security landscape. Think of it as your compass for navigating the complex world of security and technology, uncovering and unpacking the significance of key data points and longer-term trends.
  • Book Binder: The Book Binder section is tailored for the bibliophiles. Delve into deep discussions on recent publications, critiques, and reflections by authors. From understanding the policy implications of a new book to revisiting older works and considering their relevance in today’s context, this section bridges the gap between outstanding scholarship and its real-world implications.

These categories are designed to be guiding lights, helping authors and readers find the right fit for their interests. They will of course overlap and blur, with topics resurfacing from one section to another. Together, we believe these three sections fulfil the overarching mission of Binding Hook, acting as the glue for the broader Binding Hook community, both on and off the platform.

Our commitment to quality

Each piece submitted to Binding Hook undergoes a meticulous editorial process. We uphold the highest standards of accuracy, clarity, and relevance, ensuring that our readers enjoy content of exceptional quality.

Join us on this journey at Binding Hook. Whether you are a seasoned expert, an emerging voice, or a curious reader, there is space for you here. Welcome aboard!

James Shires and Max Smeets, Managing Editors Binding Hook and Co-Directors ECCRI

The ECCRI launches a new Associate program, and welcomes two Senior Research Associates

03 Nov 2023

ECCRI welcomes Dan Black and Jamie MacColl as the inaugural Senior Research Associates to the newly launched Associate program.

Dan Black is a Principal Analyst on the Cyber Espionage team at Google’s Mandiant, where he specializes in analysis of Russia’s cyber program and the broader dynamics of competition and conflict in cyberspace. Dan was previously the Deputy Head and Principal Analyst in NATO’s Cyber Threat Analysis Branch.

Jamie MacColl is a Research Fellow in cyber threats and cybersecurity at RUSI. His research interests include cyber security, the evolution of the cyber threat landscape, the role of emerging technologies in security and defence policy and the uses of history in policymaking. Current research projects focus on cyber insurance and cyber risks related to the Globalisation of Technology.

“We are delighted that the new Associate program will further strengthen ECCRI’s commitment to producing and supporting cutting-edge, original research that harnesses the insights of leading thinkers and practitioners in the field of cyber conflict,” Monica Kello, ECCRI’s Trustee and Board member, notes.