Policy Challenges for a Critical Digital Ecosystem
Open source software is ubiquitous, underlying almost all of the digital ecosystem while enabling massive innovation and functionality. For policymakers, the OSS ecosystem presents unique challenges due to its divergence from more familiar vendor-buyer models. Supportive OSS policy and engagement, while sorely needed, require careful consideration to preserve the OSS world’s cirtical functioning.
Projects
O$$ Security: Does More Money for Open Source Software Mean Better Security? A Proof of Concept
A proof-of-concept study looking for correlation between open source software project funding and security practices at scale.
The Open Source Policy Network
The Open-Source Policy Network (OSPN) is a collection of open-source software (OSS) developers, maintainers, and stakeholders convened by the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative to develop a community-led strategy and policy recommendations to improve the security and sustainability of OSS. The OSPN strives to natively integrate both policymakers and OSS practitioners in developing policy and shaping both public and private sector action toward the OSS ecosystem. The Council’s wider research on cybersecurity issues complements Network members and their collaboration to drive lasting and impactful change across OSS and the security of all digital systems.
The Cyber Statecraft Initiative, part of the Atlantic Council Tech Programs, works at the nexus of geopolitics and cybersecurity to craft strategies to help shape the conduct of statecraft and to better inform and secure users of technology.
