William Akoto
@willakoto.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Global Security at American University | PhD @UofSC | Cyber conflict, Trade and Military Coups | www.willakoto.com
📌 - New Paper Out Now - 📌 One of the biggest challenges in cyber policy is surprisingly basic: we still don't know how to measure the true cost of cyber economic espionage. Trey Herr and I have a paper just published in the JCP where we show why existing approaches to measuring costs fall short.
Why do some states become persistent users of offensive cyber operations while others do not? @willakoto.bsky.social shows that low- and mid-capability states are unlikely to sustain offensive cyber operations, while highly capable states are far more likely to do so. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jogs...
Professor @willakoto.bsky.social examines the recent cyberattack on Stryker Corp. by an Iran-linked group and how cyber operations are often used during periods of geopolitical tension to inflict damage in this piece originally published in @us.theconversation.com Read more: https://bit.ly/47Cxc9E
How Iranian Hackers Pose a Threat to US Critical Infrastructure
Professor William Akoto discusses the recent cyberattack on Stryker Corp. by an Iran-linked group and examines how cyber operations are often used during periods of geopolitical tension to inflict dam...
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📌 - New Paper Out Now - 📌 Why do only a handful of states run sustained cyber campaigns while most hack only occasionally? My newest article, just published in the Journal of Global Security Studies, addresses this puzzle. @ausis.bsky.social @sisresearch.bsky.social @csint-au.bsky.social
Disinformation isn’t just about spreading false claims - it’s also about fighting back when exposed. My new paper shows how state-backed cyber proxies adapt in real time to counter election-interference claims. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/WU8XV...
States aren’t just hacking. They're running intelligence-led campaigns designed to impose cumulative strategic costs. I have a new paper in Journal of Strategic Studies on what this means for cyber doctrine, resilience, and escalation management.
Under a new framework deal between the US and China, a consortium of US investors is slated to oversee US operations of TikTok starting this year. In this new Q&A, SIS professor @willakoto.bsky.social breaks down what this will mean for TikTok users in the US. https://bit.ly/3YDP1Qz
New Year, New TikTok?
SIS professor and Director of Research at the Center for Security, Innovation, and New Technology William Akoto discusses the future of TikTok operations in the United States.
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Why do some cyber campaigns reshape power while others fizzle out? My new JSS article shows how intelligence practices, not just hacking, drive strategic competition in cyberspace — and why classic deterrence keeps failing. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/AZFSI...
🥳New paper to kick-off the semester! I introduce an “Intelligence-Driven Strategic Competition” framework to explain when cyber espionage becomes real strategic competition. If you work on cyber conflict, coercion or state power, this may be of interest: www.tandfonline.com/eprint/AZFSI...
SIS professor William Akoto (@willakoto.bsky.social) spoke with @cbsnews.com about the new arrangement with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and the US version of TikTok. https://cbsn.ws/423iyWa.
TikTok's fate in the U.S. could hinge on who controls its algorithm
TikTok's algorithm is the "secret sauce" behind the app's success, experts say. U.S.-China talks over the app's ownership must resolve who controls the technology.
cbsnews.com
In this new episode of Big World, SIS professor @willakoto.bsky.social discusses how governments around the world are using AI and considers both the dangers and opportunities associated with this emerging tech. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts. #AcademicSky https://bit.ly/4p4htqO
Episode 85: How are Governments Using AI?
In this episode, School of International Service (SIS) professor William Akoto joins Big World to discuss the intersections of artificial intelligence and international affairs.
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We're hiring!! My department has a fantastic group of renowned scholars and practitioners...we'd love to have you join us! american.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/AU/job/Main-...
Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) - Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meani...
american.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
In my latest op-ed for The Conversation, I argue that supply-chain decoupling won't stop cyber economic espionage. It might even make it worse. theconversation.com/blocking-exp...
Blocking exports and raising tariffs is a bad defense against industrial cyber espionage, study shows
Supply-chain decoupling doesn’t stop rival nations from hacking each other and can make it worse. A cyber-espionage expert explains what does work.
theconversation.com
Huge loss for the cyber conflict studies community. He was an absolute trailblazer and great mentor to me and many others! Condolensces to his family and loved ones!🙏🏾
Tim Stevens@tcstvns.bsky.social · last yr.I am deeply saddened to report the passing of Brandon Valeriano (@drbvaler.bsky.social). Brandon was a trailblazer in evidence-based cybersecurity in International Relations. I will miss his insight, intellectual curiosity, friendship and dinner invites. RIP, brother.
In my latest paper at Business & Politics, I explore the often overlooked ripple effects of state-sponsored cyber attacks on the stock market dynamics of cybersecurity defense contractors. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
State-sponsored cyber attacks and co-movements in stock market returns: evidence from US cybersecurity defense contractors | Business and Politics | Cambridge Core
State-sponsored cyber attacks and co-movements in stock market returns: evidence from US cybersecurity defense contractors
cambridge.org
My latest paper was just published at Business & Politics! I explore the often overlooked ripple effects of state-sponsored cyber attacks on the stock market dynamics of cybersecurity defense contractors. Grateful to colleagues and reviewers for comments! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
In my latest piece for the Irregular Warfare Initiative, I examine why states are increasingly turning to economic espionage and hoe cyber proxies play a key role. irregularwarfare.org/articles/sec...
Secret Cyber Wars: Why States Are Increasingly Turning to Economic Espionage and How Cyber Proxies Play a Key Role - Irregular Warfare Initiative
States turn to economic espionage using cyber proxies for strategic advantages. Here’s Why.
irregularwarfare.org
My latest article just published at JPR!🥳🎉 I examine the puzzle of why cyber economic espionage is largely restricted to a small set of advanced economies. Part of a special issue edited by Daphna Canetti and Ryan Shandler. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Excited to share that I’ll be joining @AU_SIS as an Assistant Professor in January 2024. I’ll miss my brilliant students, great colleagues and friends at Fordham but beyond thrilled to be part of the fantastic SIS community!!😊
Forthcoming at JPR!🥳 I examine the puzzle of why cyber economic espionage is largely restricted to a small set of advanced economies. Hint: the complexity of their product profiles has a lot to do with it😁
