Research and Publications

The Oxford Cyber Forum will consider a number of themes, including the cyber aspects of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, assessing their implications for future cyber warfare. The discussion will highlight NATO’s place in cybersecurity and its strategic responses to threats. It will also cover the importance of public-private partnerships in strengthening cybersecurity and the role of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in advancing cyber defense. The forum will also address the growing threat of ransomware and  effective strategies for prevention and recovery to round out a focused exploration of current and future cybersecurity challenges.

The Forum will feature interventions from leading figures in cyber conflict and cybersecurity policy, including: David van Weel, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber; Jen Easterly, Director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; and Emily Goldman, Cyber Strategist at US Cyber Command. The Forum will also feature a panel of senior representatives from the private sector and civil society.

James Shires, Co-Director of ECCRI, comments: “We are proud to announce the inaugural Oxford Cyber Forum, featuring a unique combination of thought leaders at the forefront of cybersecurity policy, with unparalleled experience in government, private sector, and multilateral institutions. Our partnership with the Blavatnik School is an ideal match: the academic rigour and heritage of Oxford with ECCRI’s commitment to building an international community around crucial questions of cyber conflict.”

Ciaran Martin, Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations at the Blavatnik School of Government, said: “We’re so excited to host this group of experts on such an important topic, and to have a keynote from one of the foremost leaders in world cyber security is the icing on the cake. We want to do more to contribute to cyber policy here at the Blavatnik School and this event shows we mean it.”

Registration

Attendance at the Oxford Cyber Forum is free of charge. Spaces are limited, so registration is required. Please sign up to express your interest, and we will notify you when your spot is confirmed. Secure your participation in this vital dialogue on cybersecurity by registering today.

Register for the Oxford Cyber Forum

Prior to the public event, there is a closed door workshop and lunch with Mandiant and NATO for early career academics and researchers. Please register your interest below if you would like to attend.

Register interest in the early career events

About the organizers

The European Cyber Conflict Research Initiative provides a European venue for academic and policy dialogue in Europe and beyond. ECCRI supports emerging talent through a year-long fellowship program aimed at highly skilled young European professionals. Additionally, ECCRI organizes workshops, engages in research, and runs Binding Hook, a dedicated media outlet.

Founded in 2010 and located at the University of Oxford, the Blavatnik School of Government (BSG) is a leading institution in public policy education, committed to fostering a deeper understanding of governance worldwide.

Event Sponsorship

The Forum conveners would like to thank NATO for their valued contribution to supporting this event, demonstrating the importance of these discussions for international alliances on cyber defense.

For more information on the Oxford Cyber Forum, see here.