Virtual Routes

We tackle the impact of digital and emerging technologies on global affairs

Research and Analysis

Virtual Routes conducts and promotes objective and thorough research and analysis on digital technologies and global affairs, carried out to the highest academic standards

Binding Hook

Binding Hook offers a fresh and accessible take on the most pressing issues at the intersection of security and technology. It gathers and promotes diverse expert opinion, analysis, and critique from practitioners and researchers. The Binding Hook conversation centres on Europe, but also covers security and technology issues worldwide.

Colloquium

The Virtual Routes Colloquium provides cybersecurity researchers and practitioners with a platform to present and receive considered feedback on research projects and papers. In our monthly hour-long meetings, presentations are assigned an expert discussant before questions from the audience. The Colloquium is open to all, and participants are encouraged to contribute respectfully and constructively.

Other Research and Analysis

Virtual Routes contributes centrally to several cutting-edge research projects, from a Horizon Europe project on “Reigniting Multilateralism through Technology” (REMIT), to policy reports addressing the governance of spyware and other commercial cyber intrusion capabilities. Previous research reports focused on the role of cyber operations in the Ukraine war, among other topics.

Education

Virtual Routes enables people worldwide to develop new ideas and skills relating to digital technologies

Cybersecurity Seminars

We are teaming up with Google.org to offer more and better learning and job opportunities in cybersecurity to students at universities in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Pathways

The Cyber Education Pathways Initiative is an unprecedented drive to build enduring cybersecurity capabilities worldwide, focusing particularly on countries and regions with limited current opportunities for such education.

Public engagement

Virtual Routes helps policymakers, industry, and civil society deliver positive change where it is needed most

Fellowship

The Virtual Routes European Cybersecurity Fellowship is a year-long program for highly talented young European professionals, helping them develop and accelerate their careers in cybersecurity policy.

Advisory

Virtual Routes offers advisory services on issues of security and technology. Our advisory services cover research, education and policy, and we work with a range of government, corporate, and nonprofit clients.

Latest from

Why hostage negotiation tactics don’t work on ransomware

Max Smeets unpacks the key differences between ransomware attacks and hostage-taking, explaining why ransomware operators feel no pressure to make concessions while victims grow increasingly desperate

Is ransomware really organised crime?

Without the need for monopolies, territory, or violence, ransomware groups have more similarities to tech start-ups than the mafia

A new ‘turning point’ for Germany’s cyber posture?

The 2022 invasion of Ukraine led to major updates to German defence policy, but cyber defence is still lacking

Freelance cyber networks fuel North Korean nuclear ambitions

North Korean freelancers generate millions through global cyber platforms, bypassing sanctions to fund Pyongyang’s programmes

What does critical cybersecurity look like?

‘Critical Perspectives on Cybersecurity: Feminist and Postcolonial Interventions,’ edited by Anwar Mhajne and Alexis Henshaw, broadens the scope of cybersecurity research by highlighting marginalised voices and overlooked issues

Pell Mell or Pas Mal? Governing commercial cyber intrusion capabilities

Binding Hook Managing Editor James Shires puts forward principles for how states should govern cyber-intrusion technologies

Provincial governments play an underappreciated role in China’s cyber operations

Provincial intelligence branches have specialised skills that enhance China’s cybersecurity and overall posture

Announcing the AI-Cybersecurity Essay Prize Competition

Munich Security Conference (MSC) and Binding Hook proudly announce the AI-Cybersecurity Essay Prize Competition, inviting experts to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence on cybersecurity. This competition seeks insightful analyses on the implications for Europe and recommendations for policymakers, with an opportunity for winners to be recognized at an international forum

Job Board

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Recent Publications

Guida al coinvolgimento delle organizzazioni comunitarie locali (LCO)

Questa guida fornisce le migliori pratiche per gli istituti di istruzione superiore quando si impegnano con le Organizzazioni Comunitarie Locali (LCO) nell'educazione pratica alla cybersecurity, in particolare nell'ambito dei Seminari di Cybersecurity di Google.org.

Launching the Cybersecurity and AI Readings Portal

We are excited to introduce the Cybersecurity and AI Readings Portal, a resource created as part of our Cybersecurity Seminar Program supported by Google.org. This portal is designed to assist instructors at universities across the world in building their syllabus for courses in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

MSC and Binding Hook Present: The AI Cybersecurity Essay Prize Competition

Munich Security Conference (MSC) and Binding Hook proudly announce the AI-Cybersecurity Essay Prize Competition, inviting experts to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence on cybersecurity.

European Cybersecurity Fellows 2024-2025 in Brussels for the annual field trip

On October 24-25, the annual ECCRI field trip brought the European Cybersecurity Fellows to Brussels for an intensive two-day agenda with key EU, NATO, and industry stakeholders.

Gestire le sfide del rilevamento dell’IA in ambito accademico

Questo rapporto, ricercato durante l'estate 2024, esamina l'aumento dell'uso dei chatbot AI nel mondo accademico in seguito al lancio di ChatGPT nel 2022 e la risposta delle istituzioni educative attraverso strumenti di rilevamento AI.

Una guida sull’uguaglianza, la diversità e l’inclusione (EDI) nell’educazione alla cybersecurity.

Questa guida fornisce una panoramica delle migliori pratiche per incorporare l'uguaglianza, la diversità e l'inclusione (EDI) nella formazione pratica sulla cybersecurity, in particolare nel programma dei Seminari di Cybersecurity di Google.org.