Cyber Governance and Policy Center

CGPC director Mark Raymond,Wick Cary Associate Professor of International Security

Over the past 18 months, the Cyber Governance and Policy Center has pursued new research projects and has performed public service consulting roles at the national, university and community levels to bring research insights to cyber policy.

The CGPC director, Associate Professor of International and Area Studies Mark Raymond, served in fall 2019 as a senior advisor to the United States Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a bipartisan commission established by Congress to conduct an expert review of American cybersecurity strategy.

In spring 2020, students in the Cybersecurity Governance Lab worked on a project investigating the City of Norman’s cyber preparedness. The student team completed its analysis with recommendations for the city to strengthen its readiness.

Director Raymond played an active role on the university’s research intensification strategic planning efforts, serving as a member of the task force for Aerospace, Defense and Global Security research. International Security Policy was designated as one of three priorities within ADGS research, providing a significant leadership opportunity for the College of International Studies. In fall 2020, the CGPC partnered with the Water Technologies for Emerging Regions (WaTER) Center at OU to assist Purcell, Oklahoma, in complying with a new Environmental Protection Agency rule that mandates any water system serving more than 3,000 people complete a comprehensive risk assessment, including cyber risk, by June 2021. The goal is to develop an assessment tool that could be used by communities across the state and beyond.

In spring 2021, Mark Raymond spoke on a virtual panel hosted by the University of Toronto on the changing face of diplomacy. Other panelists included the chair of the Canadian Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and the German Ambassador to Canada.

Finally, with non-resident affiliate Jennifer Spindel, the Cyber Governance and Policy Center is examining the potential effects of cyberattacks on nuclear command and control systems on the stability of nuclear deterrence. Graduate student Rachel Williams presented work from this project at a virtual graduate student symposium held by American University in February 2021.