Royal United Services Institute

MEDIA ALERT: Intelligence Experts from Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, and NATO Partners Join Symposium on Professional Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

Flashpoint , a global intelligence and threat data firm, today announced that the company will collaborate in a public-private partnership with the British Academy and King’s College London to host an invite-only, open source intelligence (OSINT) symposium.

Key Points: 
  • Flashpoint , a global intelligence and threat data firm, today announced that the company will collaborate in a public-private partnership with the British Academy and King’s College London to host an invite-only, open source intelligence (OSINT) symposium.
  • Intelligence experts from Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other NATO security partners, will be joined by expert discussants to discuss a growing international profession of open source intelligence (OSINT) as a vehicle for collaboration, cooperation, and decision advantage for shared enterprises.
  • They will also discuss sector-specific insights relevant to government, private sector, NGOs, journalists, and academic or research institutions.
  • Additionally, speakers will share defensive security and threat awareness tactics to empower societal resistance and resilience against hybrid warfare campaigns.

Cult of the drone: At the two-year mark, UAVs have changed the face of war in Ukraine – but not outcomes

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

Some analysts claim that drones have reshaped war, yielding not just tactical-level effects, but shaping operational and strategic outcomes as well.

Key Points: 
  • Some analysts claim that drones have reshaped war, yielding not just tactical-level effects, but shaping operational and strategic outcomes as well.
  • It’s important to distinguish between these different levels of war.
  • The strategic level of war relates to the way these military objectives combine to secure political aims, especially ending a war.

Drone warfare in Ukraine

  • The drone war in Ukraine is evolving in ways that differ from how other countries, especially the United States, use UAVs.
  • Unlike this pattern of “over-the-horizon” strikes, Ukraine and Russia use drones during an internationally recognized conflict that is bounded by their borders.
  • Second, the U.S. operates armed and networked drones, such as the Reaper, the world’s most advanced drone.
  • Ukraine has also operated Turkish-manufactured TB-2 Bayraktar drones – the “Toyota Corolla” of drones.
  • It has also expanded the domestic production of drones, such as the Orion-10, used for surveillance, and the Lancet, used for attacks.
  • Third, the U.S. uses drones to strike what it designates as high-value targets, including senior-level personnel in terrorist organizations.
  • Ukraine and Russia use their drones for a broader set of tactical, operational and strategic purposes.

Tactical effects

  • Drones have had the biggest impact at the tactical level of war, which characterizes battles between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
  • It did so by destroying slow-moving vehicles that stretched nearly 50 miles, causing Russia to abandon its advance.
  • It also spoofs this link by creating a false signal that disorients Ukrainian drones, causing them to crash.
  • This includes going “back to the future” by adopting terrain-based navigation, though this is less reliable than satellite-based navigation.

Operational limitations

  • Drones have been less successful at the operational level of war, which is designed to integrate battles into campaigns that achieve broader military objectives.
  • In spring 2022, Ukraine used a TB-2, along with other capabilities, to sink Russia’s flagship ship — the Moskva — in the Black Sea.
  • Since then, Ukrainian officials claim to have destroyed 15 additional Russian ships, as well as damaged 12 more.

Strategic myths

  • Drones have not, and are not likely to, shape the outcome of the war in Ukraine.
  • They have not allowed Ukraine to break its stalemate with Russia, nor have they encouraged Russia to end its occupation of Ukraine.
  • Russia and Ukraine use drones to terrorize each other’s citizens as well as generate propaganda to stiffen their own citizens’ resolve.


Paul Lushenko does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Carleton University's Jessica Davis Receives Distinguished SSHRC Talent Impact Award

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 23, 2023

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Carleton University's Jessica Davis , PhD Candidate in the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) has received the prestigious $50,000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Talent Impact Award.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Carleton University's Jessica Davis , PhD Candidate in the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) has received the prestigious $50,000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Talent Impact Award.
  • Davis received the award for her vital ongoing work in counter-terrorism, intelligence, and Canadian national security.
  • "We are delighted that Jessica Davis has received the SSHRC Impact Award – it, and the growing number of investments and partnerships Carleton has received, are a testament to the calibre of our students and early career researchers."
  • The SSHRC Impact Awards celebrate the achievements of Canada's top leaders, thinkers and researchers in the social sciences and humanities.

RUSI and ACAMS Launch Training Certificate to Drive Financial Inclusion for 'Unbanked' Groups

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To help fight inequality and reduce the illicit finance risks associated with limited access to the formal financial sector, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and ACAMS have launched a free-of-charge training certificate for banks and other institutions seeking to expand their products and services to disadvantaged populations.

Key Points: 
  • The Royal United Services Institute and ACAMS have launched a new online certificate to educate the private sector on the importance of financial inclusion to drive economic growth and fight financial crime.
  • Although seldom spotlighted by the media, financial exclusion and its consequences remain a dire problem for countries across the globe.
  • "Financial inclusion is crucial to the integrity of the financial system and the success of global efforts to fight financial crime," said Maria Sofia Reiser, a Research Analyst at RUSI's Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies.
  • This work was funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as part of RUSI's three-year programme on Financial Inclusion and the consequences of anti-financial crime controls on financial inclusion.

(ISC)² Calls for Global Cybersecurity Standards based on New Research

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 26, 2023

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- (ISC)² – the world's largest nonprofit association of certified cybersecurity professionals, and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the world's oldest independent think tank on international defense and security, today released a new research report titled "Global Approaches to Cyber Policy, Legislation and Regulation." Findings from the report reveal that as cybersecurity policies and regulations evolve rapidly around the world, the call for greater standardization and collaboration is necessary to ensure stronger and more resilient frameworks to support shared learning and best practices.

Key Points: 
  • These issues include the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, the complexities of the critical national infrastructure (CNI) and international cooperation on norm development for cyberspace.
  • Global standardization is critical, and full international cooperation is needed, to protect and uphold ethical principles and standards.
  • Then, on April 27 at RSA Conference 2023, (ISC)² will host a session "What You Need to Know about the Global Cybersecurity Regulatory Landscape."
  • The research underlying this publication was primarily based on a review of existing literature.

2022 RELX SDG Inspiration Day: Aspiring to make SDG-16 a reality

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 15, 2022

RELX, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries, hosted their 'Free Virtual SDG Inspiration Day' on May 9, 2022.

Key Points: 
  • RELX, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries, hosted their 'Free Virtual SDG Inspiration Day' on May 9, 2022.
  • The topics discussed during the session was the role of businesses in furthering the agenda of SDG 16.
  • The keynote speakers included Ban Ki-moon, Former Secretary General of the United Nations and Sir Bob Geldof, legendary musician and political activist.
  • "All around the world, armed conflicts are causing humanitarian emergencies in countries such as Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Ukraine.

Darktrace CEO Calls For Dedicated 'Tech NATO' To Improve International Cyber Resilience

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 27, 2022

CAMBRIDGE, England, May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Darktrace CEO Poppy Gustafsson spoke on Wednesday night at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on the evolving cyber threat landscape in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She was in conversation with Professor Madeline Carr, Senior RUSI Associate Fellow and Professor of Global Politics and Cybersecurity at University College London.

Key Points: 
  • Commenting on the challenge of policing both cyber warfare and international cyber crime, Gustafsson said "There remains a persistent lack of clarity around how we define an act of war in the cyber-sphere."
  • She called for the creation of a dedicated international cyber task force, or 'tech NATO', to deliver international collaboration in agreeing and ratifying a set of cyber-norms and accountability.
  • She added, "We have seen UK, US and EU officials jointly attribute this attack to Russia, an immensely political act.
  • She emphasized the importance of a "whole of society approach" to cyber security adding: "There is a shocking tolerance for cyber attacks, and that has to change.

Darktrace CEO Calls For Dedicated 'Tech NATO' To Improve International Cyber Resilience

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 27, 2022

CAMBRIDGE, England, May 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Darktrace CEO Poppy Gustafsson spoke on Wednesday night at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on the evolving cyber threat landscape in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She was in conversation with Professor Madeline Carr, Senior RUSI Associate Fellow and Professor of Global Politics and Cybersecurity at University College London.

Key Points: 
  • Commenting on the challenge of policing both cyber warfare and international cyber crime, Gustafsson said "There remains a persistent lack of clarity around how we define an act of war in the cyber-sphere."
  • She called for the creation of a dedicated international cyber task force, or 'tech NATO', to deliver international collaboration in agreeing and ratifying a set of cyber-norms and accountability.
  • She added, "We have seen UK, US and EU officials jointly attribute this attack to Russia, an immensely political act.
  • She emphasized the importance of a "whole of society approach" to cyber security adding: "There is a shocking tolerance for cyber attacks, and that has to change.

ComplyAdvantage Releases The Evolving Use Of Sanctions 2022 Report Highlighting Current Issues Related To Global Sanctions Regimes

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 19, 2022

NEW YORK, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ComplyAdvantage, a global data technology company transforming financial crime detection, today announced the release of its much anticipated  The Evolving Use of Sanctions 2022 Report, a continuation of the company's research series on sanctions intended to help financial service providers quickly understand key issues in order to take strategic, risk-sensitive decisions in response. 

Key Points: 
  • The first version of this report, published in August 2021, suggested that sanctions were becoming the most well-used tools in a western government's diplomatic and coercive armoury.
  • The current political environment is ever more challenging for businesses and financial institutions with potential exposure to high-risk jurisdictions and activities.
  • The rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape makes it difficult to keep up with new developments and more difficult to ensure that they meet their sanctions obligations as a result.
  • To address these key sanctions-related concerns, The Evolving Use of Sanctions 2022 Report details critical geopolitical risks, sanctions evasion, and the development of national policies in major global financial centres.

eSentire Leverages Guidewire to Quantify and Reduce Cyber Security Risk

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 7, 2021

The combination of eSentire and Guidewire Cyence technologies and expertise fill a significant gap to help businesses assess, design, and implement cyber risk solutions and quantify their security ROI and risk reduction.

Key Points: 
  • The combination of eSentire and Guidewire Cyence technologies and expertise fill a significant gap to help businesses assess, design, and implement cyber risk solutions and quantify their security ROI and risk reduction.
  • Guidewires cyber risk modeling and scoring data for more than 600,000 businesses is now integrated with eSentires asset risk scoring, providing security recommendations through eSentires Insight Portal:
    Business Risk Scoring: eSentire customers now have access to Guidewires Cyence Risk Rating within the eSentire Insight portal.
  • eSentire leverages these insights to make proactive security recommendations on how to reduce each customer organizations risk.
  • Through their work together, eSentire and Guidewire have identified and remediated several open RDP scenarios, thereby reducing risk and enabling the organizations to improve their cyber insurance risk profile.