National Security and Cyber: Espionage and Warfare
27 April 2027
6:00-7:30pm
Online
Event status:
Applications being accepted
Location:
Online
Dates:
27 April 2027 - 1 June 2027
Study Format:
Online - live
Fees:
£75.00
Espionage and warfare evolve relentlessly. The history of digital networks is inextricably intertwined with spies and soldiers.
This online lecture series starts by examining the complex mission of tracing state-sponsored hackers to their home countries. You will examine the dangers of false-flag operations that could contribute to international tensions and perhaps even the outbreak of hostilities. You will learn how cyber hacking capabilities are proliferating globally due to private sector cyber-espionage companies who have commercialised the hacking. The methods to limit this proliferation will be studied to understand whether the trend can be halted, or if it is a new reality that must be managed.
Disinformation is a core practice to destabilise adversaries whilst operating below the threshold of war. You will explore its core features, understanding the impact of artificial intelligence, and the measures available to reduce its efficacy. Cyber-espionage is a critical capability that over time can help to change the balance of power between nations. You will learn how espionage went digital, and how this is perhaps the most seismic impact resulting from the emergence of hacking techniques.
States are still experimenting with how to most effectively use hacking during war. You will examine how such techniques can be deployed before and during conflict to degrade the enemies’ capabilities and support conventional operations.
Finally, you will examine the broad array of instruments at the disposal of the state to counter cyber threats.
Please note:
- Due to the nature of the contents of this lecture series, this is not suitable for people under 18 years old.
- The full lecture series will close to enrolments at 23:59 BST on 22 April 2027. Individual lectures will close 2 days before the start date.
- Whilst this lecture series examines a technical subject matter, it is not a technical course.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
IT requirements
Joining the series online
We will be using Zoom for the livestreaming of this lecture series. You’ll be able to see and hear the speaker, and to submit questions via the Zoom interface. Joining instructions will be sent out prior to the start date. We recommend that you join the sessions at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start time – just as you might arrive a bit early at our lecture theatre for an in-person event.
Please note that this lecture series will not be recorded.
Recommended reading
Perlroth, N., To Catch a Thief (Rubrik Podcasts, 2025)
Stoll, C., The Cuckoo’s Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Cyber Espionage (Pocket Books, 1989 [Reissue 2005])
Healey, J., Cyber Effects in Warfare: Categorizing the Where, What, and Why (Texas National Security Review, 2024)
Programme details
Lecture programme
Lectures take place on Tuesdays, from 6pm–7.30pm (BST).
Tuesday 27 April
Attributing Cyber Covert Actions: Unmasking the Hackers
This lecture explores the challenges of assigning cyber operations to their originators. We will examine what attribution is, why it is necessary, and how it is conducted. We will study attribution analysis frameworks, and how the process of public attribution occurs. Finally, we will explore how threat entities create false flags to misdirect investigators, and even to frame third parties. At the end of this lecture, you will understand the politics and practicalities of attribution.
Tuesday 4 May
Cyber Espionage: A New Age of Spying?
This lecture examines the history of cyber-espionage from the earliest known cases in the 1980s to the vast capabilities operated by today’s military and intelligence agencies. We analyse the components of a nation-state cyber-espionage programme, from the people beyond the keyboards, to the organisational processes that deliver high-calibre campaigns. Finally, we investigate the primary applications of cyberespionage, including hack-and-leak operations, strategic intelligence acquisition, and the suppression of dissent.
Tuesday 11 May
Cyber Espionage: Agent Running, Counter-Intelligence & Supply-Chain Exploitation
This lecture examines how digital technologies have affected agent running across all stages of the SADRAT framework (Spotting, Assessing, Developing, Recruiting, Agent Running, and Termination). In particular, it considers how hacking techniques can complement traditional agent-running operations. It then analyses how human intelligence can support and enable hacking activities. Next, the lecture explores the impact of digital technologies on counter-intelligence. Finally, it examines the potential of cyber espionage targeting supply chains, which have proven to be a highly effective attack vector for large-scale breaches that may yield significant intelligence gains.
Tuesday 18 May
Cyber Proliferation: Hacking for Sale
This lecture surveys how cyber espionage capabilities have spread to numerous countries through commercial transaction. We first explore the conditions that created the market demand for private hacking products and services. We then analyse a contract from a commercial surveillance vendor to understand how hacking transactions are structured. Finally, we explore the instruments that are being deployed in an attempt to limit proliferation.
Tuesday 25 May
Cyber Warfare: The Future of Combat?
This lecture first considers the history of cyber warfare, stretching back to the first Gulf War when US special forces considered using cyber sabotage to disable Iraqi air defences. We then study cyber warfare using three pillars: influence, espionage, sabotage. We consider how these pillars are employed before war, when they can contribute to pre-conflict advantage, and during the war, when they may aid conventional operations in numerous ways.
Tuesday 1 June
Countering Cyber Threats
This lecture analyses how states counter cyber threats, from criminal prosecutions to hacking the hackers. We start with reviewing the necessity of countering digital threats, before examining the core considerations in doing so. We then step through the portfolio of countermeasures whilst analysing each of the escalatory risks of each option. By the end of this lecture, you will have a thorough awareness of the measures that nation-states can deploy to attempt to counter cyber threats.
How and when to watch
Please join the Zoom webinar in good time before the lectures to ensure that you have no connection problems. We recommend joining 10-15 minutes before the start time. Each lecture will last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, followed by questions.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Event Fee | £75.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Dr Craig Jarvis – Course Director
Craig is an independent academic specialising in national security and technology. He lectures at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Royal Holloway. His next book, ‘Cyber Terrorism: Extremism & Hacking’ will be published in 2026. Previous works include ‘CryptoWars: The Fight for Privacy in the Digital Age‘ and contributions to ‘Next Generation Enterprise Security‘. His research also appears in peer-reviewed journals, including ‘Intelligence and National Security’.
Craig holds a PhD in cybersecurity and history and has earned master’s degrees in international security, information security, and classical music, studying at Oxford, King’s College London, and Royal Holloway.
With extensive industry experience, his last permanent role was Chief Technology Officer at DXC Security, then the world’s largest security services provider. At DXC, he founded DXC Security Labs, spearheading advancements in cybersecurity research and development.
Craig remains deeply engaged with the private sector, particularly in finance, where he advises major banks and private equity firms on security strategy, architecture, and cyber due diligence. As a member of the Offensive Cyber Working Group’s College of Experts, he contributes to research and policy development in offensive cybersecurity. He is also the founding chair of the Geopolitics-Cyber Community of London Experts (GeoCyclone), an organisation bringing together business leaders, academics, and policy makers to share knowledge on national security and digital technologies.
He is currently studying Mandarin (HSK4).
Craig is active on LinkedIn, often posting details of upcoming courses and ongoing research.
Module code: O26P136DSL
Please use the ‘Book’ button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.
