Cyber & Democracy
As technology continues to underpin many of society’s functions, including government services, critical infrastructure, and economic development, ensuring it is secure, democratic, and rights-respecting is essential.
Our Cyber and Democracy vertical focuses on developing technology that serves the public interest. We believe advancing secure technology for democracy starts from the design phase and continues throughout its lifecycle, including governance on both the private and public sector side. This approach aims to create digital systems that are:
Secure and resilient
Open and trustworthy
Stable and sustainable
Supportive of democratic principles and human rights
Topics addressed by cyber & democracy include cybersecurity workforce development, cyber resilience, capacity building, international cooperation on cyber issues, digital rights, combating cybercrime, digital governance, and equitable access to the internet and to opportunities for digital innovation.
EDUCATION | EVENT
Strengthening the Information Ecosystem
All Tech Is Human and the Consulate General of Finland in New York co-hosted Strengthening the Information Ecosystem, which brought together over 85 stakeholders from civil society, government, academia, and industry to discuss ways to foster information integrity. The program looked at best practices in building resilience and relationships to advance trust in the information ecosystem while also exploring concrete ways to combat disinformation.
The program consisted of opening remarks and two panels. The first panel brought together experts from industry, civil society, and government to discuss best practices in building multisectoral partnerships that can effectively fight mis/disinformation. The second panel explored ways to enhance domestic resilience against mis/disinformation by examining rights-respecting methods to develop quality journalism and media sectors, educate the public on a digital literacy baseline, and rebuild trust in public institutions. Read Report
What is Cyber & Democracy?
On the industry side, practitioners in this area work to ensure that technology is not misused to carry out online harms such as cyber crime and attacks, influence operations, disinformation campaigns, and unlawful surveillance. In parallel, governments must work nationally to pass legislation that promotes security and economic innovation and development that is human-centered.
On an international level, this means governments work with other countries through bilateral and multilateral channels to promote cooperation on cyber issues, build cyber capacity, further digital rights, and work toward equitable digital access.
Civil society and academia also play an important role through such contributions as pushing for both government and industry accountability, conducting research on cyber harms, contributing to standards setting and regulation, and advocate for technology to take into account vulnerable and marginalized populations. Due to the cross sector nature that many of these issues touch, trust and partnership development is essential. In cyber, as the saying goes, we’re only as safe as the weakest link.
Find Your Next Role in Cyber & Democracy
Professionals in this field engage in a variety of roles and responsibilities. Cyber and Democracy practitioners might work as cybersecurity specialists, policy analysts, digital rights advocates, civic tech developers, open source contributors, and many other roles. Work in this area can involve developing and implementing security protocols, conducting threat assessments, vulnerability testing, incident response plans, advising governments and organizations, developing secure voting technologies, and more. Check out our Job Board
Careers in Cyber & Democracy
According to ATIH’s Job Board, most Cyber & Democracy roles posted require 5-6 years (39%), 3-4 years (36%), and 7-9 years (25%). Here are some recent job titles for Cyber & Democracy practitioners:
Security Analyst
IT Specialist
Cyber Security Analyst
Senior Product Manager – Cybersecurity Risk & Controls
VP Product Security
Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst
Engineering Manager, Security Incident Response
Senior Director of Cybersecurity Programs
Director of AI & Democracy
Cyber Security Researcher
Chief Information Security Officer
Apply to join All Tech Is Human’s Slack with over 10K members across 100+ countries!
Join Our Cyber & Democracy Community
The technical and social complexity of technology requires a multi-voice effort to explore what it can do, what it should do, and what it could do in the future. Want to get involved?
We have a large (and growing) community of Cyber & Democracy practitioners at All Tech Is Human. Here are some ways you can meet other people, learn more, or contribute to something:
Cyber & Democracy Working Groups
Learn More About Cyber & Democracy
-
The 2023 Responsible Tech Guide: Our annual comprehensive guide to the people, organizations, and ideas of the Responsible Tech ecosystem and actionable ways to get involved.
All Tech Is Human. Responsible Tech Mixer (August 2024): This panel from All Tech Is Human’s Responsible Tech Mixer looks at public interest technology, including cyber workforce development, and offers career advice to those looking to break into the field.
All Tech Is Human. Protecting the Public through Cybersecurity Cooperation (2024): This livestream showcases how partnerships and community building help create a safer cyberspace through such efforts as cyber capacity building programs, workforce development initiatives, and community building.
All Tech Is Human. Cybersecurity for All: Social Impact Careers in Cyber (2024): This livestream highlighted speakers who positively impact society through their cyber work without having to program or code. They share how they use cyber to keep the public safe, what type of skills they draw on, and how they found themselves in the cyber field. This livestream is particularly geared toward those who know nothing about cybersecurity or cyber policy and are looking to learn more.
All Tech is Human. Strengthening the Information Ecosystem (2024): This short report synthesizes key findings and recommendations from All Tech Is Human’s collaboration with the Consulate General of Finland in New York in March 2024, which brought together over 85 cross-sector stakeholders to discuss ways to foster information integrity. The program looked at best practices in building resilience and relationships to advance trust in the information ecosystem while also exploring concrete ways to combat disinformation.
-
Access Now. Digital Security Helpline: “Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline works with individuals and organizations around the world to keep them safe online. If you’re at risk, we can help you improve your digital security practices to keep out of harm’s way. If you’re already under attack, we provide rapid-response emergency assistance.”
Access Now. #KeepItOn: “The #KeepItOn coalition brings together hundreds of civil society organizations and our allies from around the world – in government, international institutions, media, the private sector, and beyond – to fight for an end to internet shutdowns.
Global Forum on Cyber Expertise.
Cybil Knowledge Portal: “The globally owned one-stop knowledge hub brings together knowledge on international cyber capacity building.”
Article 19. Article 19 Podcast: “Our podcasts delve into aspects of freedom of expression; from exploring the right to protest, to fighting for basic freedoms under repressive regimes.”
Center for Cybersecurity Policy & Law. Distilling Cyber Policy: “Distilling Cyber Policy is the podcast for those that want to follow and understand global public policy events and developments related to cybersecurity. We separate the facts from the hype, and boil out the wonky jargon so you can keep up with the latest developments impacting the future of security.”
Center for Strategic and International Studies. Cyber from the Start: “The Cyber from the Start podcast unveils the roots of today’s cybersecurity policies for critical infrastructure, surveillance, espionage, warfare and privacy.”
Center for Strategic and International Studies. Inside Cyber Diplomacy: “Inside Cyber Diplomacy presents a wide-ranging and thought-provoking look at international cybersecurity, its challenges, and practices. Through candid interviews with experts around the world, co-hosts Jim Lewis and Chris Painter explore how diplomacy and negotiation have shaped the field.”
The Lawfare Institute / Brookings. Cyberlaw Podcast: The Lawfare Podcast features discussions with experts, policymakers, and opinion leaders at the nexus of national security, law, and policy, including cybersecurity and governance.
Council on Foreign Relations. Cyber Week in Review: “Digital and Cyberspace Policy program updates on cybersecurity, digital trade, internet governance, and online privacy bimonthly.”
Center on National Security at Fordham Law. Center on National Security Cyber Brief: “The Aon CNS Cyber Brief is a weekly roundup of cyber news that highlights developments across the digital domain, including cybersecurity law and policy, the technology industry, and cryptocurrency.”
EU Cyber Direct. EU Cyber Direct Newsletter: Learn about the latest publications from EU Cyber Direct on policy support, research, outreach and capacity building in the field of cyber diplomacy.
NYU’s Center for Social Media and Politics. CSMaP Newsletter: Learn about their latest work to strengthen democracy by conducting rigorous research, advancing evidence-based public policy, and training the next generation of scholars.
-
Below is a sample of organizations that cover cyber and democracy issue with some of their resources listed. See our Responsible Tech Organizations List under the Tech & Democracy and Cyber tabs for a full list of organizations in the area.
Access Now
“Access Now defends and extends the digital rights of users at risk around the world. By combining direct technical support, comprehensive policy engagement, global advocacy, grassroots grantmaking, legal interventions, and convenings such as RightsCon, we fight for human rights in the digital age.”
Resources: Digital Security Helpline, RightsCon, #KeepItOn, #WhyID
ARTICLE19
“ARTICLE 19 works for a world where all people everywhere can freely express themselves and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination. We do this by working on two interlocking freedoms: the Freedom to Speak, and the Freedom to Know. When either of these freedoms come under threat, ARTICLE 19 speaks with one voice.”
Resources: Articles, Podcast, Learning Platform
Association for Progressive Communications
“The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is a membership-based network of organisations and activists, founded in 1990, to empower individuals, organisations and social movements to use information and communications technologies (ICTs) to build strategic communities to contribute to equitable human development, social justice, participatory political processes and environmental sustainability.”
Resources: Publications
Atlantic Council
“Driven by our mission of “shaping the global future together,” the Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that galvanizes US leadership and engagement in the world, in partnership with allies and partners, to shape solutions to global challenges.”
Resources: Democracy and Tech Initiative, Task Force for a Trustworthy Web
Center for Democracy & Technology
“The Center for Democracy & Technology is a 501(c)(3) working to promote democratic values by shaping technology policy and architecture, with a focus on the rights of the individual. CDT supports laws, corporate policies, and technological tools that protect privacy and security and enable free speech online.”
Resource: CDT Reports and Insights
Center for Security and Emerging Technologies, Georgetown University
“CSET produces data-driven research at the intersection of security and technology, providing nonpartisan analysis to the policy community. CSET is currently focusing on the effects of progress in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced computing and biotechnology. We seek to prepare a new generation of decision-makers to address the challenges and opportunities of emerging technologies.”
Resource: AI and National Security
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
“We lead the National effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to our cyber and physical infrastructure. Our multi-faceted mission is home to more than 15 career fields including business administration, cybersecurity, program management, communications, data science. We play a vital role in protecting the homeland.”
Resource: Cyber Hygiene Services
Derechos Digitales
“The mission of Derechos Digitales is the defense, promotion and development of human rights in the digital environment in Latin America, through study, dissemination of information, and impact on public policies and private practices, to promote social change around to the respect and dignity of people.”
Resource: Publications
Design for Democracy
“D4D Coalition is an international group of democracy and human rights orgs committed to ensuring that tech embraces democracy as a core design principle.”
Resource: Coalition Resources
Electronic Frontier Foundation
“The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world.”
Resource: Certbot, Privacy Badger, Whitepapers, Podcast
EU Digital Rights (EDRi)
“The EDRi network is a dynamic and resilient collective of NGOs, experts, advocates and academics working to defend and advance digital rights across the continent. For almost two decades, it has served as the backbone of the digital rights movement in Europe.”
Resource: Decolonising Digital Rights
EU Disinfo Lab
“EU DisinfoLab is a young independent NGO focused on researching and tackling sophisticated disinformation campaigns targeting the EU, its member states, core institutions, and core values.”
Resource: Tools to Monitor Disinformation
Freedom House
“Freedom House is founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people; the rule of law prevails; and freedoms of expression, association, and belief, as well as respect for the rights of women, minority communities, and historically marginalized groups, are guaranteed.”
Resource: Tracking Freedom and Democracy Around the World
German Marshall Fund
“GMF champions the principles of democracy, human rights, and international cooperation, which have served as the bedrock of peace and prosperity since the end of World War II, but are under increasing strain. GMF works on issues critical to transatlantic interests in the 21st century, including the future of democracy, security and geopolitics, alliances and the rise of China, and technology and innovation. By drawing on and fostering a community of people with diverse life experiences and political perspectives, GMF pursues its mission by driving the policy debate through cutting-edge analysis and convening, fortifying civil society, and cultivating the next generation of leaders on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Resource: Future of Democracy, Technology and Innovation
Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)
“Every citizen of the world should be able to fully reap the benefits of ICT through a free, open, peaceful and secure digital world. Building cyber capacity provides the necessary foundation for countries to strengthen their cyber resilience through developing skills and capacity that address threats and vulnerabilities arising from cyberspace. It is therefore our mission to strengthen cyber capacity and expertise globally through international collaboration and cooperation.”
Resources: Publications, Cybil Knowledge Portal
“We are a social purpose company working at the intersection of human rights and digital technologies. We work to ensure that human rights underpin how we develop, use and govern digital technologies. Through advocacy, partnerships, capacity building, networks, and research, we shape rights-respecting laws and policies and help build a more diverse digital policy ecosystem.”
Resources: Publications, Encryption Laws and Policies map
Institute for Security and Technology
“The Institute for Security and Technology builds solutions to enhance the security of the global commons. Our goal is to provide tools and insights for companies and governments to outpace emerging global security threats. Our non-traditional approach is biased towards action, as we build trust across domains, provide unprecedented access, and deliver and implement solutions.”
Resource: Future Digital Threats to Democracy
Internet Society
“The Internet Society supports and promotes the development of the Internet as a global technical infrastructure, a resource to enrich people’s lives, and a force for good in society. Our work aligns with our goals for the Internet to be open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. We seek collaboration with all who share these goals.”
Resources: Courses, Programs, Events
La Red en Defensa de los Derechos Digitales
“The Network in Defense of Digital Rights (R3D) is a Mexican organization dedicated to the defense of human rights in the digital environment. We use various legal and communication tools to conduct policy research, strategic litigation, public advocacy, and campaigns to promote digital rights in Mexico. In particular, freedom of expression, privacy, access to knowledge and free culture.”
Resource: Publications
“NDI believes all people have the right to live in a world that respects their dignity, security, and political rights—and the digital world is no exception. NDI's Democracy and Technology (DemTech) division seeks to foster an inclusive and global digital ecosystem in which: Democratic values are protected, promoted, and can thrive; Governments are more transparent and inclusive; and All citizens are empowered to hold their government accountable.”
Resource: Dem Tools (Democracy and Technology Initiative)
National Endowment for Democracy
“The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is an independent, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. Each year, NED makes more than 2,000 grants to support the projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 100 countries.Since its founding in 1983, the Endowment has remained on the leading edge of democratic struggles everywhere, while evolving into a multifaceted institution that is a hub of activity, resources and intellectual exchange for activists, practitioners and scholars of democracy the world over.”
Resource: Publications
Pollicy
“Pollicy functions at the intersection of data, technology and design to improve government service delivery.”
Resources: Projects, Toolkit, Reports, Webinars
Research ICT Africa
“Research ICT Africa (RIA) conducts multidisciplinary research on digital governance, policy and regulation that facilitates evidence-based and informed policy making for improved access, use and application of digital technologies for social and economic development in Africa. Our public-interest research on the digital economy and society responds to national, regional and continental needs. It provides relevant stakeholders with the information and analysis required to develop flexible and adaptive policies and regulation to deal with an increasingly complex and dynamic digital environment. RIA will contribute to the gathering and analysis of data and indicators to establish a repository of knowledge for furthering research and digital governance.
Resources: Publications, Projects