Think tank · Policy · Berkeley, California · Est. 2020
The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit “critical action think tank” that aims to translate security-relevant technology developments into actionable national-security and public-policy guidance. IST’s public framing emphasizes bridging technology and policy leaders, operating with “trust,” “accountability,” and an “action” orientation rather than only publishing analysis.
IST organizes its work into portfolio areas that map to emerging AI and dual-use risks, cyber and digital resilience, and nuclear/nuclear-command-and-control-adjacent security challenges. On its website, IST highlights initiatives and project lines including Ransomware Task Force work, efforts focused on AI security and AI-related national security policy, and CATALINK (its blueprint for a resilient multilateral crisis communications approach), alongside programs addressing critical-infrastructure resilience. Strategically, IST’s current position is that of a convening and applied-policy research organization: it reports regularly, runs working groups and events, and presents itself as continuing to deepen engagement across government, industry, and civil society. IST also publishes independence commitments stating it is independent, nonpartisan, does not lobby, and maintains donor controls intended to prevent influence over research recommendations.
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IST recently released the results of a survey asking national security professionals about their views on artificial intelligence. In this month’s edition of The TechnologIST, Sophia Mauro compiled top takeaways and striking quotes from the survey’s launch event.
Safety Takes a Back Seat: IST Releases AI and the Future of National Security SurveyIn a survey released today by the Institute for Security and Technology and with support from the Future of Life Institute, a majority of national security experts see the risk of an AI-caused catastrophe at or above their tolerance for continuing to pursue global AI leadership.
IST Launches the Fragile Foundations Sprint to Confront AI Cyber Disruption to Life Safety Critical FunctionsIST is convening the Fragile Foundations Sprint, developed by Joshua Corman and led and coordinated by Jen Ellis and David Batz, to lay the groundwork for pragmatic guidance and future action to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure against AI-powered cyber threats
Inside the Presidential Memorandum on Transnational Cyber-Enabled CrimeIST friends and experts hosted a pop-up webinar to examine the recent presidential memorandum on combating transnational cyber-enabled crime. Featuring Jen Ellis, Jason Kikta, Leonard Bailey, Nicholas Leiserson, and Megan Stifel, the discussion covered the ethical, strategic, and
Mexico Ransomware Task Force highlights value of disrupting criminal infrastructure, commits to public awareness campaignIn Mexico City today, the 40+ members of the México Ransomware Task Force endorsed a set of actionable recommendations for the Mexican multistakeholder community to combat the threat of ransomware.
IST Launches Initiative for Managing the Risks from Recursive Self-Improvement (RSI) and Self-Modifying AI Systems in Partnership with the Future of Life InstituteThe Institute for Security and Technology announces a new research initiative in partnership with the Future of Life Institute to establish governance frameworks and control mechanisms for AI systems with recursive self-improvement (RSI) capabilities.
What We Knew Would Happen Is HappeningThree recent incidents involving OpenAI and Anthropic models, including one where a Claude agent engaged in social engineering during UK AISI-permitted cyber testing, map to Level 2 on IST's Loss of Control Risk Schema. IST analysis raises open questions for policymakers and deve
Two Sandbox Escapes, One Coalition, and 622 Patches: Vulns + AI = Oh My!From the OpenAI breakout to Microsoft’s record-breaking Patch Tuesday surge, AI is reshaping both offense and defense across the cybersecurity landscape. In IST’s July 31 webinar, “Vulns + AI = Oh My! From Sandbox Escapes to Record Patches,” five experts cut through the noise, he
An Undeclared War: UnDisruptable27, Critical Infrastructure Systems, and Cyber Threats at Critical Effect DC ‘26Presented by ICS Village in partnership with IST’s UnDisruptable27 project and Akin, Critical Effect DC ‘26 brought together leaders across operational technology, industrial control systems, national security, and public policy, with a sharp focus on safeguarding human life and
Governance And Cyber Risk For Smes Remapping The Blueprint For Ransomware DefenseRevCon Ended Without Consensus. Risk Reduction Did Not.Despite the 2026 NPT Review Conference ending without consensus, growing multilateral support for nuclear risk reduction and crisis communication tools like IST's CATALINK Initiative signals a path forward for nuclear diplomacy.
What’s in a Norm?What’s in a norm? The New York Times’s recent reporting linked last year’s cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover to Russia-based actors, but the UK government has remained silent. IST’s Nicholas Leiserson calls on policymakers to act lest their silence encourage future attacks.
IST announced a pop-up AMA webinar in response to a presidential memorandum establishing/expanding private-company engagement related to transnational cyber-enabled crime.
AI and the Future of National Security: Results From a Landmark Survey of 111 National Security Policy ProfessionalsIST and the Future of Life Institute hosted a launch event for a survey report on advanced AI deployment and its opportunities/risks across military, cybersecurity, intelligence, and CBRN domains.
Safety Takes a Back Seat: IST Releases AI and the Future of National Security SurveyIST released a survey describing national security experts’ views, including claims about tolerance for AI-led catastrophic risk and policy readiness.
AI and the Future of National Security: Findings from a survey of 100+ national security practitioners…Publication page for IST’s report based on a survey of national security practitioners regarding the opportunities and risks of advanced AI deployment, including nuclear integration and policy unreadiness claims.
IST Launches the Fragile Foundations Sprint to Confront AI Cyber Disruption to Life Safety Critical FunctionsIST announced a 100-day sprint to lay groundwork and develop guidance intended to strengthen life-safety critical infrastructure resilience against AI-powered cyber threats, focused on “cyber-poor” operators.
IST described a pop-up webinar analyzing ethical, strategic, and legal implications of deputizing private companies for offensive cyber activities under DOJ/DHS oversight as discussed in a presidential memorandum.