Introduction In the spring of 2021, the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University organized a multi-session virtual workshop on creating a cyber incident investigative capacity modeled on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The goal of the workshop was to develop a research agenda to further the concept. Given fast-moving events, the workshop went beyond that mandate to also address pressing policy issues given interest from Congress and the Biden Administration in standing up such an organization. This report presents the findings from the workshop. The workshop was sponsored through grants from the National Science Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation.
Workshop Organization and Format This workshop was centered on three tracks of discussion: 1. Initial discovery of incidents 2. Investigations 3. Reporting and data sharing/publication The workshop assembled over 70 experts in a wide variety of disciplines (See Appendix B for participant biographies). Within each track, participants identified assumptions, highlighted broad themes, and narrowed in on specific questions to inform a research agenda. While the virtual format had its deficiencies, it also had its advantages. Many participants who would not have been able to attend the previously scheduled in-person workshop in Washington were able to join virtually. The virtual format also allowed the multiple sessions to be spread out over two months to lessen the fatigue of attending long days of consecutive sessions. This format also allowed participants to engage in the development of the agenda. The first session of the workshop was an open plenary to solicit ideas and speakers for follow-on sessions. The final program is in Appendix A.
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs | Harvard Kennedy School
5
