Virtual Routes
@virtualroutes
Virtual Routes tackles the impact of digital and emerging technologies on global affairs. Also check out @bindinghook.bsky.social, our media outlet.
It's been a milestone-filled few weeks for the google.org Cybersecurity Seminars Program. Our Project Officer, YuYing Mak, recently took part in three events across Europe & shares her insights from the trip.
Reflecting on our 1st 'Foundations of Cybersecurity and AI' course (April-June 2026), Program Coordinator Hannah-Sophie Weber shares four key observations from the 12-week course, exploring why understanding cybersecurity and AI requires moving beyond disciplinary silos.
(1/7) Most discussions about AI security focus on what happens after deployment. But what if most significant security risks are introduced much earlier? Our new Pharos Report explores the security risks emerging across the AI ecosystem & why they matter for policy. 🧵A thread
One conclusion stood out above all others: commercial cyber proliferation increasingly appears to be not a temporary market failure that can be regulated away, but an enduring characteristic of the emerging technological and #geopolitical landscape.
5) The greatest long-term consequence of commercial cyber proliferation may not be cyber conflict, but democratic erosion.
4) Artificial intelligence may benefit technological latecomers more than established cyber powers.
3) Commercial cyber markets may increasingly fragment along geopolitical lines
1) Experts were pessimistic about the ability of #governance to shape the market.
What will the market for commercial cyber capabilities look like in 5 years? To explore the question, we convened a group of experts from government, industry for a forecasting workshop as part of the Horizon Europe REMIT Research project. Here are the 5 expert predictions👇
The European Cybersecurity PhD Accelerator is now open for applications, offering cybersecurity researchers an opportunity to strengthen the policy relevance, visibility, and impact of their work. Apply before 1 August. Limited places available. virtual-routes.org/european-cyb...
We currently have two free cybersecurity open calls for community-serving organizations in Europe to help strengthen their digital security. Explore the open calls below. #opencalls #nonprofits
A huge congratulations to all participants on this amazing achievement, and thank you to all the experts and partners who helped make this week possible!
Student teams developed a ransomware negotiation simulator, a ransomware incident response playbook, a cybersecurity awareness game, a report on the contemporary ransomware ecosystem, an OSINT guide, and a web scanner for local community organizations.
Participants also took part in our Cyber Crime Dialogues event on Thursday, connecting with leading figures from law enforcement, industry, and the cybersecurity community.
Last weekend, we wrapped up our five-day Ransomware Defence Summer Bootcamp in Amsterdam, bringing together graduate students from around the world to tackle one of today's biggest cybersecurity challenges.
☀️ Last Friday, we kicked-off our five-day Ransomware Defence Summer Bootcamp in sunny Amsterdam! At the Amsterdam Business School premises, we’re hosting nearly 40 graduate students for a week full of lectures, group challenges, and socials. Stay tuned for more updates.
🌍 127 students. 20+ uni. 12 countries. Students across Europe, Asia, and Africa joined our #career panel, On the Cybersecurity Front Lines, hosted with Google.org. Five panelists shared their journeys & advice showcasing: there's no single path into #cybersecurity.
📢 Welcome Elizabeth Kolade to Virtual Routes as our Summer Research Associate. A cybersecurity professional and PhD candidate at the University of Bath, Elizabeth will support our work strengthening the resilience of nonprofits and community organizations against cyber threats.
Join us for this week's free #cybersecurity webinars: 🔍 Spyware: Technology, Law & Policy (24 Jun) Register: zoom.us/meeting/regi... 🔐 Inside the Ransomware Machine (25 Jun) Register: zoom.us/meeting/regi... Relevant for #nonprofits & community organizations. #Spyware #Ransomware
📢 #OpenCall: Free phishing simulation and awareness training for organizations in Ireland & Spain. 15 selected organizations will receive: ✅1-year support ✅Hands-on implementation ✅Open to nonprofits, public entities, cooperatives, & other community organizations
💬 Have questions about cyber threats, AI, or security updates? Join our Cyber Community Q&A, a free online discussion for #nonprofits, charities, and community organizations. 26 June, 11:00-12:00 CEST. 🎟️ Register: zoom.us/meeting/regi... #CyberSecurity #TechForGood
Join us! Next week we're hosting two free #webinars: 🔹 #Spyware: Technology, Law & Policy (24 Jun | 15:00 CEST) Register: zoom.us/meeting/regi... 🔹 Inside the #Ransomware Machine (25 Jun | 14:00 CEST) Register: zoom.us/meeting/regi... Designed for #nonprofits and community organizations.
Stay up to date on #cyberthreats, security updates, & #tech developments affecting #nonprofits & community organizations, without the technical jargon The next Digest is coming soon, followed by a live Community Q&A on 26 June @ 11:00 CEST. 📬 Subscribe to our Substack: virtualroutes.substack.com
Join our online session on 24 June with Oumou Ly, Aparna Surendra to discuss AI security and systemic risk in financial markets. Info: virtual-routes.org/event/ai-sec... Exclusive to AI-Cybersecurity Research & Policy Hub members. Not a member? Register here: virtual-routes.org/initiatives/...
📢 3 days left! #OpenCall: Free 1-year Business VPN support for #nonprofits and community-focused organizations in Ireland, Italy, & Spain through our Cybersecurity Services Centre. ⏳ Apply by 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲: virtual-routes.org/open-call/bu... #CyberResilience #CyberSecurity #CyberforGood
🤝 We're delighted to announce a new formal partnership with CERT.ngo to strengthen cybersecurity support for organizations in Poland through our Cybersecurity Services Centre. 🔗 Read more about the partnership: virtual-routes.org/cert-ngo-par...
⏰𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄! We're hosting these two free webinars designed for nonprofits and impact-driven organizations. Know an organization that might benefit from these sessions? Feel free to share this with them. #Cybersecurity #Nonprofits #NGO #DigitalResilience #TechForGood
Proud to support the 2nd edition of Google.org Cybersecurity Seminars Program at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma (UCBM). Building on a first cohort of 75 students from 16 universities, we're proud to support the next generation of cyber talent. Read more: virtual-routes.org/launch-secon...