In Focus
Project
Cyber Accountability
Improving cyber accountability and deterring malicious cyber activity
About Project
Malicious cyber operations are omnipresent and current approaches to “cyber deterrence” fall short. To help deter cyber incidents and foster accountability, already accepted international norms and law need to be effectively implemented.
The Cyber Accountability project is examining past experiences addressing other international threats and risks to identify lessons learned in the area of accountability that can be applicable to cyber. By applying lessons from other domestic and international efforts, the project will provide policymakers with both legal and technical expertise on accountability in the cyber domain, as well as perspectives from government, civil society, and industry on potential paths to better address cyber threats. This project is being implemented by regular engagement with other stakeholders, a webinar series, and production of a research report.
Research & Writing
Project Note
Discussing Indo-Pacific perspectives about cyber accountability.
November 10, 2025
Commentary
As cyber operations play a growing role in the India-Pakistan rivalry, misattribution threatens to undermine stability.
October 7, 2025
Commentary
Taking stock of the threats, opportunities, and mitigation measures in India and Pakistan’s civilian cyber and digital ecosystems.
September 25, 2025
Commentary
Offensive cyber operations introduce a layer of strategic ambiguity and misperception that could destabilize deterrence in South Asia.
September 3, 2025
Commentary
Assessing outcomes from the final session of the UN’s cyber working group.
August 4, 2025
Commentary
DNS blocking is becoming a default cybersecurity tool, but its simplicity masks serious risks to transparency, access, and digital rights.
August 1, 2025
Commentary
The US and India should position the Quad as a critical norm builder and a pillar of cyber stability.
July 2, 2025
Commentary
Pakistan’s cybersecurity strategy reflects a core tension: protecting state sovereignty while respecting international norms.
June 24, 2025
Commentary
The vulnerability of critical infrastructure to natural hazards and environmental degradation or even deliberate attacks is a reality that cannot be ignored.
June 14, 2025
Project Note
Supporting cyber capacity-building and resilience in Southeast Asia.
May 13, 2025
Commentary
How cyber and climate risks intersect in the Caribbean—and why resilience strategies must evolve.
March 4, 2025
Policy Memo
The cyber threat landscape is evolving faster than ever, and the impact of cyber operations on personal, national, and international security must not be understated.
November 22, 2024
Issue Brief
Outlining the regional approaches, challenges, and solutions to the cyber accountability question in Latin America.
October 16, 2024
Issue Brief
Empowering stakeholders to take an active role in cyber accountability processes through capacity building.
October 7, 2024
Issue Brief
Exploring the mutually reinforcing and conflicting aspects of deterrence and accountability in cyberspace.
September 30, 2024
Commentary
Amid deep anxiety about the future of cyberwar, Stimson experts present a measured analysis of the pager attacks in Lebanon.
September 25, 2024
Chapter
Drawing inspiration from the European Union’s large-scale data privacy and digital rights regulation: the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
September 24, 2024
Chapter
Tracing how activities of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) foster cyber accountability.
September 24, 2024
Chapter
A look at the potential of space governance and capacity-building initiatives to enhance accountability in cyberspace.
September 20, 2024
Chapter
Learning from the large-scale global effort that helped reverse atmospheric ozone depletion
September 16, 2024
Chapter
Strengthening human rights law in the digital domain.
September 13, 2024
Chapter
Championing cyber governance and sustainable development in Africa through peer review and capacity building.
September 12, 2024
Chapter
The evolving risks and incentives in the insurance industry – and their emerging role for cyber accountability.
September 9, 2024
Chapter
What lessons does the private security industry hold for regulating private sector actors in cyberspace?
September 6, 2024
Project Note
Stimson’s Cyber Program presented the findings of its multi-year study on cyber accountability at a side event of a United Nations Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG)
July 24, 2024
Report
Findings from a two-year research project on improving international cyber accountability and deterring malicious cyber behavior.
July 8, 2024
Commentary
Observations on the new U.S. International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy, barriers to implementation, and a possible path forward
June 25, 2024
Project Note
Stimson’s Cyber Program concludes a series of research validation activities ahead of launching a major report on cyber accountability.
May 8, 2024
Commentary
From participation gaps to differentiated threats and challenges in accessing technology, cyber (still) has a gender problem.
March 8, 2024
Commentary
Discussing the changing role of cyber operations in the Russia-Ukraine war, their implications for international law, and measuring harm.
February 22, 2024
Project Note
Stimson joined with States and stakeholders in London to launch a new process for addressing spyware, ‘hackers for hire’, and other intrusive cyber threats.
February 13, 2024
Project Note
Stimson co-hosted a side event about cyber accountability on the margins of a recent meeting for the UN’s cyber working group
January 16, 2024
Issue Brief
In the long run, a transparent, robust, and broadly accepted attribution process is needed to hold malicious actors accountable for cyber offenses.
December 12, 2023
Commentary
Key developments from the UN’s working group session on international cyber peace and security and its implications for cyber accountability.
August 14, 2023
Project Note
This report summarizes key themes of discussion from a recent workshop on “Fostering Accountability in Cyberspace”.
July 3, 2023
Project Note
Stimson’s new cyber program recently held two events that brought together the diplomatic community, industry, academia, and civil society for exploratory discussions on deterrence, transparency, and accountability.
May 24, 2023
Commentary
The UN’s cyber working group met in March amid geopolitical tension and rising cyber threats. How can it balance expectations and political realities?
April 14, 2023
Remarks
UN talks on international cyber security should consider the digital risks facing other domains, learn from other threat areas, and consider gender
March 3, 2023
Remarks
UN cyber discussions should look broadly for lessons in managing cyberspace via agreed models – ranging from points-of-contact to accountability.
December 6, 2022
Remarks
At the July 2022 Stakeholder Meeting of the UN Cyber Open-ended Working Group, Stimson Calls for Guidance on Implementation and Help in Capacity Building
August 5, 2022
Remarks
Stimson encourages the new 2021-2025 OEWG on cyber to support research and stakeholder collaboration in progressing accountability in cyberspace.
January 27, 2022
Commentary
This article was originally published in the Journal of Critical Infrastructure Policy
December 15, 2021
Remarks
The UN needs to fast track its work on ICT security. The UN is a thoughtful body that generally works via consensus. ICT risks, however, evolve quickly along with States’ and criminals’ threatening capabilities. These capabilities have increasingly been exercised recently. States and individuals are now feeling forced to react to the many cyber incidents being experienced.
March 18, 2021
Policy Memo
Cyber intrusions are endangering American security. We can be more secure if the Biden Administration takes bold leadership in two areas.
December 17, 2020
Remarks
Stimson advises the UN to look outside the cyber realm and assess past and innovative approaches working to manage international security risks as it looks to promote cyber security
March 27, 2020
Policy Paper
Considering cyber risks to the civil nuclear industry and how to address them
February 6, 2020
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