Quentin E. Hodgson

Senior International/Defense Researcher; Affiliate Faculty, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Santa Monica Office

Education

B.A. in history and Russian language, The Johns Hopkins University; M.A. in international relations, The Johns Hopkins University - School of Advanced International Studies; M.Sc. in national resource management, Industrial College of the Armed Forces

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Quentin Hodgson (he/him) is a senior international and defense researcher at the RAND Corporation focusing on cybersecurity, cyber operations, critical infrastructure protection, risk management, and command & control. He is also a member of the faculty at Pardee RAND Graduate School. He has led projects for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and NATO's Allied Command Transformation. He came to RAND in 2017 from the MITRE Corporation, where he led projects supporting the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department on strategic planning, cybersecurity, and capacity building. Prior to that, he spent 13 years at the Department of Defense in a variety of strategy and policy positions, including serving as the Director for Cyber Plans, Operations and Programs from 2011 to 2014. He was the principal author of secretary of Defense Robert Gates's National Defense Strategy and led efforts to reform the Department's approach to force planning and analysis after the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review. He holds an M.A. in international relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and an M.Sc. in national resource management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and was a Fulbright scholar affiliated with the University of Potsdam, Germany.

Research Focus

Honors & Awards

Gold Medal Award, RAND

Languages

German; Russian

Commentary

Keep Voters Healthy. Keep Elections Secure. Can the U.S. Do Both?
U.S. adversaries have stepped up cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. The United States should expect these foes to take advantage of the logistical challenges of voting in a COVID-19 world to redouble their efforts against elections.
Jun 22, 2020 The Baltimore Sun
During Coronavirus Pandemic, Can Congress Members Do Their Jobs by Teleworking?
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a new challenge to how Congress conducts business. How can the United States leverage existing technologies so lawmakers can continue to work safely and securely?
Apr 6, 2020 Fox News Channel
Helping Small Businesses Deal with Cyber Threats
Small businesses are especially vulnerable to cyber threats. What can be done to provide small businesses the security to continue to prosper, while enhancing America's cybersecurity workforce and making the economy more secure?
Sep 15, 2017 Inside Sources

Publications

Report
Attitudes on Voting in 2020: Preparing for Elections During a Pandemic
In survey responses about expectations for the November 2020 election, most voters say they think that voting will be safe and votes will be counted despite the pandemic. But concerns about safety and integrity could act as deterrents for some.
Aug 27, 2020
Report
An Assessment of State Voting Processes: Preparing for Elections During a Pandemic
State election laws on early voting, remote voting, and voter registration could have implications for the execution of the November 2020 general election under conditions brought on by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Aug 5, 2020
Report
Options for Ensuring Safe Elections: Preparing for Elections During a Pandemic
Voting and registration options can help ensure safe elections despite the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Each option has advantages; challenges; and different levels of risk regarding safety, integrity, access, and logistics.
Aug 5, 2020
Report
Fighting Shadows in the Dark: Understanding and Countering Coercion in Cyberspace
The authors of this report examine cases from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea to understand whether and how states use cyber operations to coerce other states or actors, and highlight the challenges of identifying cyber coercion.
Sep 17, 2019
Report
Operationalizing Cyberspace as a Military Domain: Lessons for NATO
The authors of this Perspective discuss current efforts by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to integrate cyberspace as an operational domain, including a focus on indications and warning and adapting a framework for the NATO context.
Jun 20, 2019
Journal Article
Journal Article
Applying Indications and Warning Frameworks to Cyber Incidents
This research proposes a high-level yet practical strategic cyber indications and warning approach that governments, NATO agencies, and the private sector can apply to defend against cyber threats.
2019