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Areas of expertise

Interdisciplinary research is at the heart of the DSI

Digital development has contributed to the advancement of our societies and economies, helping us to achieve more efficient governance and more effective modes of production. In particular, advances in automation have contributed to increased cost efficiency and generated significant returns for investors, while generating growth and prosperity on a massive scale. As manufacturing moves toward Industry 4.0 and governments digitize their knowledge, services, and agencies, we are experiencing disruptive changes in the way we interact with organizations and ourselves.

While digitalization brings new possibilities and opportunities to our society and economy, it also poses a challenge to global peace and stability.  All stakeholders in the digital domain - governments, the private sector, and academia - have worked hard over the past decades to achieve a more secure and trustworthy cyberspace. There have been some successes, but many challenges remain. Cyber threats have become a major security concern for many stakeholders. The urgency of the problem is evident in the numerous headlines about increasing cybercrime incidents and state-organized cyberattacks. Cyberspace is now the fifth domain of warfare, and governments have begun diplomatic negotiations to increase global cyber stability.  Geopolitical tensions are shifting to cyberspace, companies see cyber-attacks as the greatest risk to their businesses, and the general public fears cyber threats.

DSI Areas of Expertise - Overview

As a research institute, the Digital Society Institute (DSI) seeks to advance understanding of the risks and opportunities of digitalization through discussion, policy analysis, and research. The DSI brings together policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers with technical, legal, and social science expertise to discuss cyber issues in an interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder setting. The Institute provides research and policy recommendations on a variety of topics, including the role of new and emerging technologies in conflict, cyber diplomacy processes, Internet governance, and the responsibilities of different actors in cyberspace.

 

Our areas of expertise:


Digital and Cyber Diplomacy

Digitalisation poses novel challenges to national security and foreign policy - diplomatic efforts, global cooperation, and multi-stakeholder engagement are the main pillars to maintain peace and stability in cyberspace.

  • Our activities:
    • Supporting German Digital and Cyber Foreign Policy
    • 1.5 Track Diplomatic Cyber Dialogues (10SECD, 11SECD)
    • Shaping Cybersecurity Conference (2022, 2023, 2024)

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Digital Trust and Cybersecurity

In a digitized world built on trust, economic interdependence, and international cooperation, a high level of digital trust is paramount for economic prosperity and resilience.

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Secure Digital Identities

The "Secure Digital Identities” project aims to support German and European solutions for  electronic ID that is user-friendly, trustworthy, cost-efficient, and easily accessible for administrations and citizens.

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Cyber Strategy and Innovation

Digital innovation is crucial for economic growth and societal progress. However, the security of critical networks is a significant concern for all decision-makers, on both the organizational and the national levels.

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Training, Education and Capacity Building

Reliance on digital ecosystems requires upskilling of senior leaders and decision-makers in all companies, governments and organizations, who are confronted with the impact of new technologies and rising security challenges.