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Fifth Annual Symposium On Cyber & International Law

Exploring the Frontiers of Active Cyber Defense—International Law and Emerging State Practice

September 14 - 16, 2026

American University Washington College of Law
Ceremonial Classroom (NT01)

The U.S. Department of Defense operational concept of Defend Forward, first introduced in 2018, is now firmly ensconced in U.S. national strategy and a growing number of States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Israel, and South Korea among them, have adopted variations of so-called Active Cyber Defense as national policy.  While definitions and conceptualizations of Active Cyber Defense differ, like Defend Forward, these policies can involve proactive measures taken across digital borders to identify, monitor and disrupt threats before they fully manifest. This shift toward Active Cyber Defense, especially the incorporation of out-of-network disruption operations, raises a host of complex legal questions and is occurring in parallel, and potentially in tension with the broader evolution of states’ views on international law applicable to cyber operations; views that will likely be impacted by changing State practice on the resort to kinetic force. At the same time, cyber and information conflict persists, and the arrival of AI will only sharpen the speed and impact of these threats, increasing the pressure for more agile and sustained disruption. How international law responds to these developments should remain at the top of States’ agendas.

The Tech, Law, & Security Program (TLS) is excited to once again host our annual symposium at the American University Washington College of Law on September 14-16. The Fifth Annual Symposium on Cyber and International Law—Exploring the Frontiers of Active Cyber Defense—International Law and Emerging State Practice, will again bring together leading experts from across the globe to address this timely and important topic.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

  • The Lieber Institute, West Point
  • The Federmann Cyber Security Research Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • The Center for International Law, National University of Singapore
  • The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence

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