Erik Silfversten

Research Leader and Co-Director, RAND Europe Centre for Futures and Foresight Studies (CFFS)

Cambridge Office

Education

M.Sci. in international relations and global issues, University of Nottingham

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact RAND Europe Media Relations at +44 (1223) 353 329, x2560, or email europeanmedia@rand.org.

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Overview

Erik Silfversten is a research leader at RAND Europe and co-director of the RAND Europe Centre for Futures and Foresight Studies (CFFS). He works at the intersection of technology, policy and the future and his primary research interests are complex, strategic policy challenges in relation to cybersecurity and emerging technologies. Silfversten has extensive experience in futures and foresight research including horizon scanning, trends analysis, scenario development and analysis, technology impact analysis, and systems analysis. In his role at CFFS, he is responsible for the operations and development of the Centre.

He has delivered a wide range of interdisciplinary research projects to senior decision makers, including for the UK Ministry of Defence, the European Defence Agency, the European Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA), the European Border Security and Coast Guard (Frontex), the European Commission, NATO and others. He is also an experienced communicator with a focus on explaining technology issues and their impact in complex and uncertain environments. His work has been covered in Forbes, Wired, the Huffington Post, the British Medical Journal and others.

Prior to joining RAND, Silfversten held the position of manager for policy and strategic development at IMPACT, the cybersecurity partner of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He holds an M.Sci. (Hons) in International relations and global issues from the University of Nottingham.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Economics of Vulnerability Disclosure
The Future of Cybercrime
AI-Based capabilities for the European Coast Guard and Border Security

Honors & Awards

2019 RAND Europe President's Award for conducting objective and high-quality research
2018 RAND Europe President's Award for helping to facilitate impact and making a difference in our work
2017 RAND Europe President's Award for conducting objective and high-quality research

Languages

English; Swedish

Commentary

Why the 2018 Winter Olympics Are the Perfect Storm for Cyberattacks
The Olympic Games could invite the most severe cyber threats to a major sporting event in recent years. The location of the games and increased connectivity, both among the public and infrastructure, make them a prime target for cyberattacks.
Feb 12, 2018 Wired UK
Ensuring Cybersecurity Is Vital for a Driverless Future
High-profile accidents involving autonomous vehicles (AVs) have led to recent discussions about the physical safety of people. However, it could be argued that consumers and manufacturers should be equally, if not more, concerned about the potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities in AVs.
Feb 12, 2018 Public Technology
A Smart Toy Could Have Personal Details for Life, Not Just for Christmas
Parents shouldn't avoid buying smart toys during the holidays, particularly if these devices top children's Christmas lists. But parents should definitely be wary of the security and privacy risks that smart toys can pose.
Dec 21, 2017 The RAND Blog
The WannaCry Cyber Attack Could Be the First of Many If the NHS Takes No Action
In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) was one of the organizations most severely affected by the WannaCry ransomware. The NHS and other public sector organizations need to improve their cybersecurity processes and quickly before a more severe cyber attack takes place.
Dec 1, 2017 The BMJ

Publications

Report
Establishing a Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise for Australia: International and Domestic Lessons Learned
The authors describe the relevance of five international case studies in relation to Australia's creation of a Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise, identified as a key priority by the government in its 2020 Defence Strategic Update.
Mar 21, 2022
Report
Human Rights in the Digital Age
This report provides an overview of human rights in the digital age (HURDA), the trends and challenges associated with them and the capacity-building approaches that have been adopted to foster and protect them.
Aug 4, 2021
Report
Defence Mobilisation Planning Comparative Study: An Examination of Overseas Planning
Against the 2020 Defence Strategic Update, the authors use evidence from several countries to highlight the merits of a 'total defence' approach to mobilisation planning for Australia with the goal of meeting contemporary threats.
May 3, 2021
Journal Article
Artificial Intelligence-based Capabilities for the European Border and Coast Guard: Executive Summary
This document provides a summary of RAND Europe's study on AI-based capabilities for the European Border and Coast Guard.
Mar 30, 2021
Journal Article
Artificial Intelligence-based Capabilities for the European Border and Coast Guard: Final Report
This study explores the ways the European Border and Coast Guard can maximise the opportunity provided by AI to support the management of the EU's external borders.
Mar 30, 2021
Report
The Future of Cybercrime in Light of Technology Developments
RAND Europe conducted a study to: 1. Analyse future technologies and how these could be used to commit or prevent cybercrimes. 2. Propose ways to prevent future technologies from being exploited for criminal purposes.
Dec 16, 2020
Research Brief
How could technological developments influence the future of cybercrime?
How could technological developments influence the future of cybercrime? RAND Europe investigated this policy question and identified possible approaches to prevent future technologies from being exploited for criminal purposes.
Dec 16, 2020
Report
Exploring the use of Zcash cryptocurrency for illicit or criminal purposes
To help inform public debate and decision making, RAND Europe explored the uses of cryptocurrencies for illicit or criminal purposes, focusing on the Zcash cryptocurrency, in a research project commissioned by the Electric Coin Company.
May 6, 2020
Journal Article
The Impact of New and Emerging Technologies on the Cyber Threat Landscape and Their Implications for NATO
This paper discusses a selection of new and emerging technologies with potentially disruptive effects, particularly concerning cyber threats that may stem from their maturation and use over the next decade.
2020
Journal Article
Cybersecurity: A State-of-The-Art Review
This study examines the current state-of-the-art in the field of cybersecurity, reporting on the methods and analysis undertaken to assess this area. It also provides research questions for the NCTV to consider for their research agenda.
Sep 4, 2019
Journal Article
LGA Cyber Security Stocktake: National-Level Report
A cybersecurity stocktake of all 353 councils in England examined IT security, leadership, governance, partnerships, technology arrangements and training, offering recommendations on areas for improvement.
Feb 22, 2019
Journal Article
Economics of Vulnerability Disclosure
This study serves as a follow up to the 2015 ENISA Good Practice Guide on Vulnerability Disclosure and seeks to provide a glimpse into the economics, costs, and incentives related to discovering and disclosing vulnerabilities.
Dec 14, 2018
Report
Olympic-Caliber Cybersecurity: Lessons for Safeguarding the 2020 Games and Other Major Events
Understanding the cybersecurity threat landscape is critical to hosting a resilient, safe, and secure Olympic Games. Policy options derived from a risk analysis of this threat landscape can help achieve the cybersecurity goals of Tokyo 2020.
Oct 4, 2018
Journal Article
Key Skills and Competences for Defence: Governmental Domain
This study, commissioned by the European Defence Agency, identifies key defence skills within the governmental domain and proposes recommendations for their sustainment.
Aug 16, 2018
Journal Article
Response Strategies to the Cost Escalation of Defence Equipment: Executive Summary
Published in EDA studies - Executive summary.
Mar 15, 2017
Report
Defence and security after Brexit: Understanding the possible implications of the UK's decision to leave the EU — Compendium report
This RAND study examines the potential defence and security implications of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union ('Brexit'), whether for the UK, Europe or globally.
Mar 5, 2017
Report
Defence and security after Brexit: Understanding the possible implications of the UK's decision to leave the EU — Overview report
This RAND study examines the potential defence and security implications of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union ('Brexit'), whether for the UK, Europe or globally.
Mar 5, 2017
Report
Families Support to Transition: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
RAND Europe was commissioned by the Forces in Mind Trust to conduct a systematic review to develop a better understanding of the evidence base around four themes associated with the transition into civilian life for UK Service leaver families.
Sep 8, 2016
Research Brief
Supporting UK Service leavers and their families in the transition to civilian life
RAND Europe was commissioned by the Forces in Mind Trust to conduct a systematic review to develop a better understanding of the evidence base around four themes associated with the transition into civilian life for UK Service leaver families.
Sep 8, 2016