RUSI joined government officials, researchers, and industry participants at the 16th International Conference on Cyber Conflict (CyCon) in Tallinn to discuss advancements and challenges in cybersecurity.
During the Conference, the Institute convened a workshop on “Responsible Cyber Operations (RCO): Unpacking Principles and Mechanisms”. The event brought together experts and representatives from NATO Member States, the EU and allied nations to discuss principles guiding responsible cyber operations.
The objective of this workshop was to foster a dialogue on what responsible cyber operations are from a national perspective, map experiences and perspectives on RCO, and identify convergent and/or distinct approaches to RCO.
RUSI shared some of the preliminary findings of its ongoing research on RCO with participants. Subsequent discussions and breakout groups further informed RUSI’s work on how countries have sought to develop and operationalise their views on what guides responsible action in conducting cyber operations.
This work is part of a multi-year project to map practical understandings of responsible cyber behaviour. As part of this programme, in September 2023 RUSI launched the Global Partnership for Responsible Cyber Behaviour (GP-RCB) – a platform for research-led cross-regional dialogues on the matter.
Reflecting on the workshop, RUSI’s Cyber Team RCB lead Louise Marie Hurel said:
At the NATO Summit in July 2024, Members of the Alliance agreed to establish a new NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre to support Allies in the use of cyberspace as an operational domain. The NATO announcement and the expansion of cyber commands across different regions shows that there is a growing appetite from States to build their cyber capabilities. The question is whether this appetite is followed by a dialogue on principles and procedures for Allies (and others) to act responsibly when conducting cyber operations and exchange views on these matters – that is precisely the aim of our work.
Louise Marie Hurel
Research Fellow
About RUSI's Cyber Research Group
RUSI's Cyber Research Group takes a global approach to its research, examining UK and international strategic responses to cyber. The team leverages the broader experience of RUSI staff and Associate Fellows and has fostered a growing network of cyber experts from both the public and private sectors and academia.
Its research agenda is structured around the following themes: cyber strategy, cyber resilience, cyber threats and offensive cyber. The team pursues different aspects of these themes, depending upon policy priorities at any given time.
Current research projects examine the implementation of the UK’s 2022 National Cyber Strategy, offensive cyber operations, technology and national security in the context of the Net Zero environmental transition, cyber insurance and ransomware, responsible cyber power, and cyber capacity building.
Visit the Cyber Research Group page to view their work.