Episode 77 of the Irregular Warfare Podcast, which is also the second installment of the IWI Project on Cyber, explores cyber operations in the war in Ukraine. Our guests examine the use of cyber warfare and digital information operations in Ukraine since 2014. They begin by highlighting the differences between how cyber is conceptualized and organized in the United States and Russia. They go on to discuss how cyber was used in Ukraine from 2014 to 2022 and then specifically in regard to last February’s invasion. They continue by assessing Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian cyber actions and the lessons it can teach on cyber resilience. Finally, they conclude with thoughts on implications for next year in Ukraine and broader lessons on cyber warfare.
Gavin Wilde is a senior fellow in the Technology and International Affairs Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he is an expert on Russia and information warfare. Prior to joining Carnegie, Wilde served on the National Security Council as director for Russia, Baltic, and Caucasus affairs. Wilde also served in senior analyst and leadership roles at the National Security Agency and as a linguist for the FBI. Wilde is a nonresident fellow at Defense Priorities and an adjunct professor at the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. His paper “Cyber Operations in Ukraine: Russia’s Unmet Expectations” forms the foundation of this episode.
Jason Kikta is the chief information security officer at an information technology company. He previously served for over twenty years in the United States Marine Corps, including seven years at United States Cyber Command designing and managing the national counter-APT and counter-ransomware missions. Jason is also an adjunct lecturer at the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.
Laura Jones and Matt Moellering are the hosts for Episode 77. Please reach out to them with any questions about this episode or the Irregular Warfare Podcast.
The Irregular Warfare Podcast is a production of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI). We are a team of volunteers dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. IWI generates written and audio content, coordinates events for the IW community, and hosts critical thinkers in the field of irregular warfare as IWI fellows. You can follow and engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
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