Cyber Policy Initiative

Cyber Policy Initiative (CPI) seeks to fortify public policy by investigating the intersection of national security, politics, and technology. Established in 2018, CPI conducts research on policy and cybersecurity. It also serves as a forum through which government officials, academics, and technological professionals can engage and collectively strengthen cyber posture against malicious attacks.

CPI currently partners with DEF CON, the world’s largest conference of hackers and technologists, and various government agencies at home and abroad. CPI is committed to advancing critical policy aims with four key pillars.

Aims of the Cyber Policy Initiative

• Publish a yearly "Hackers' Almanack (PDF, 7.2MB)" covering cutting-edge DEF CON technological policy interventions, including topics like AI, biomedical, ransomware, etc.
• Co-manage a cyber volunteer task force with DEF CON and the National Rural Water Association to help secure critical infrastructure, starting with water systems.
• Develop projects to help national-level and local governments develop cybersecurity and workforce development strategies.
• Address policy research needs on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and other contemporary issues.

Hackers Almanack

We are proud to present The DEF CON 32 Hackers’ Almanack. This year’s iteration marks the inaugural release of a first-of-its-kind report compiled by DEF CON Franklin, a new collaborative effort between DEF CON and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy—Cyber Policy Initiative. The Hackers’ Almanack compiles the most interesting, impactful, and innovative research and vulnerabilities identified at DEF CON—presented in typically extraordinary fashion.

Download the DEF CON 32 Hackers' Almanack (PDF, 7.2MB)

Jacob (Jake) Braun

Executive Director, Harris School of Public Policy Cyber Policy Initiative

Jacob (Jake) Braun is the Executive Director of the Harris School of Public Policy Cyber Policy Initiative (CPI). He previously served as acting Principal Deputy National Cyber Director in the White House from May 2023 to July 2024. Prior to that, Mr. Braun was Senior Counselor for Transformation to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Mr. Braun was initially appointed by President Joseph Biden as Senior Advisor to the Department of Homeland Security’s Management Directorate in February 2021. He is also a lecturer at the Harris School.

Mr. Braun is the author of Democracy in Danger: How Hackers and Activists Exposed Fatal Flaws in the Election System. As the founder of CPI and co-founder of the DEF CON Voting Machine Hacking Village, he also co-authored three award-winning and seminal works on election infrastructure cyber vulnerabilities.

Read Jake Braun's Full Profile.