Digital Society Institute (DSI)

Our mission

About us

Who we are

The Digital Society Institute (DSI) at ESMT was founded in 2016 with a mission to bridge technology and society through research, education and capacity building activities that place digital trust, privacy and human rights at the center of digital development. The DSI has built a strong reputation for conducting applied research at the intersection of technology, society and the economy, becoming a trusted source for expert advice on different aspects of digitalisation, such as secure digital identities, digital diplomacy, internet governance, EU digital and tech policies and German IT law. Expanding the scope of its work, the DSI is working towards becoming a leading knowledge hub on digital technology, regulation and cybersecurity issues, with a special focus on European technology policies and regulation.

What we do

The DSI offers interdisciplinary solutions to some of the most urgent problems of our time: this ranges from insights into the digitalisation of public services and the rapid automation of industry in Europe, to developing policy recommendations in response to the rising influence of emerging technologies on countries’ internal and external policies. DSI researchers are featured in academic journals and leading press, contributing on the latest technological issues, including eGovernance, digital platforms, international law, internet governance and cybersecurity. The DSI conducts numerous research projects, working with companies and public institutions, and regularly hosts workshops and conferences, featuring leading international speakers, public officials and hundreds of attendees from diverse backgrounds.

Beyond 5G: The Need for Trusted and Secure Digital Infrastructure

[ITSR.sys] Workshop: Was folgt aus NIS 2? Neue Pflichten für die IT-Sicherheit von KRITIS-Betreibern und dem Mittelstand

Paving the Way into the Future of Cyberspace

Upcoming Event

Beyond 5G: The Need for Trusted and Secure Digital Infrastructure

GMF Berlin | October 9, 2023

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Recent Event

Shaping Cybersecurity Conference 2023

19 June 2023 | ESMT Berlin | Audimax

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Past Event

[ITSR.sys] Workshop: Was folgt aus NIS 2? Neue Pflichten für die IT-Sicherheit von KRITIS-Betreibern und dem Mittelstand

3. Mai 2023 | ESMT Berlin | Auditorium II

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Past Event

The UN Project of a Global Digital Compact

ESMT Berlin | February 24, 2023

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Press release

Tenth Sino-European Cyber Dialogue

Geneva, Switzerland | December 22, 2022

Press release

"Cyberdiplomatie – und dann!?"

August 3, 2023 | Tagesspiegel Background

According to Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, director of the Digital Society Institute (DSI) at ESMT, repeating rounds of just UN discussions on cybersecurity will not help, we need concrete implementation measures and practical efforts to follow up on the already agreed commitments.

"Expertengespräch in Halle: Cyberkatastrophe. Und jetzt?"

July 11, 2023 | MDR

Cyber disasters have unforeseen effects on the work of an administrative office. Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar, director of the Digital Society Institute (DSI) at ESMT, advises prioritizing what needs to be protected and explains the "Cyber Defense League" in Estonia.

"App and cyber security: The risks are real | DW Business"

April 7, 2023 | Deutsche Welle

Isabel Skierka, the program lead for technology politics and a researcher with the Digital Society Institute at ESMT Berlin, talks with Deutsche Welle about efforts different state and non-state actors undertake to collect data, surveil the Internet and launch cyber attacks.

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