RUSI and the National Cyber Force are launching a new initiative to develop a UK community of interest on offensive cyber and other cyber effects operations.
RUSI, with the National Cyber Force, have today launched the UK Cyber Effects Network. The initiative aims to generate new thinking on the theory and practice of offensive cyber operations and help develop the next generation of UK experts in the field.
The Cyber Effects Network will bring together representatives from industry, academia and government to share their perspectives and develop thinking on offensive cyber. The UK Cyber Effects Network is administered by RUSI and sponsored by the National Cyber Force.
The initiative will include publishing an edited collection of original papers that address conceptual, doctrinal, legal, policy, capability and technological aspects of offensive cyber operations.
The Call for Abstracts for the edited collection is now open and will close on 30 September 2025.
Conrad Prince, RUSI Distinguished Fellow and former Director General for Operations at GCHQ said:
This is an ambitious and ground-breaking initiative. We really need a broader and more diverse range of voices developing new thinking on how democracies can responsibly make use of offensive cyber capabilities and conduct offensive cyber operations where that is required. The Cyber Effects Network is all about encouraging that.
Conrad Prince CB
Distinguished Fellow and Senior Cyber Adviser
The Network will also establish a Fellowship Programme for early-career professionals who are keen to deepen their knowledge and engage with the theory and practice of offensive cyber operations. Fellows will grow their networks with like-minded researchers and practitioners, enhance writing and policy skills, and engage with practitioners from the UK cyber effects community.
Jamie MacColl, RUSI Senior Research Fellow in Cyber and Tech, said:
The Fellowship Programme is a fantastic opportunity for early career policymakers, researchers and practitioners to develop their interest in offensive cyber operations.
Jamie MacColl
Senior Research Fellow
About the Network
Offensive cyber operations are defined by the 2022 UK National Cyber Strategy as 'adding, deleting or manipulating data on systems or networks to deliver a physical, virtual or cognitive effect'.
Applications to join the six-month Fellowship Programme can be submitted through the RUSI website. The deadline for Fellowship applications is 30 September 2025.
Visit the UK Cyber Effects Network page to find out more about the Fellowship Programme and how to submit an abstract for the edited collection and find out more about submission guidelines and information on how to participate.
