Institute for Security and Technology
The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) is a 501(c)(3) critical action think tank that convenes policymakers, technology companies, and researchers to produce policy recommendations on AI security, ransomware, critical infrastructure, and nuclear stability.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Institute for Security and Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Institute for Security and Technology
- Legal name
- Institute for Security and Technology
- Website
- https://securityandtechnology.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) is a 501(c)(3) critical action think tank that convenes policymakers, technology companies, and researchers to produce policy recommendations on AI security, ransomware, critical infrastructure, and nuclear stability.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Institute for Security and Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and Advocacy
- NAICS
- National Security (928110), National Security and International Affairs (9281), International Affairs (92812)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cyber Defense & Information Security (National Security) (BPAIAHAE), Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)
Keywords
Where Institute for Security and Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Institute for Security and Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Grant Funding: IST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by foundations and organizations. Major supporters include Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Longview Philanthropy, Future of Life Institute, Hewlett Foundation, Mastercard, Coefficient, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and others. Funding supports specific initiatives and programs.
- Event Sponsorships: Revenue generated from event sponsorships including the Cyber Policy Awards (sponsored at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze levels) and Critical Effect conference. Sponsors include Microsoft, Cloudflare, Halcyon, Cape, and others.
- Individual Donations: Individual donations from supporters who contribute to advancing IST's mission of national security through technology built on trust.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Institute for Security and Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Institute for Security and Technology is a 501(c)(3) critical action think tank that produces policy research, frameworks, and recommendations at the intersection of technology and security. Its core offerings include multistakeholder convening services, policy initiatives on AI security, ransomware, critical infrastructure, and nuclear stability, as well as public events such as the Cyber Policy Awards and Critical Effect Conference. The organization provides these outputs at no cost to advance public good and national security objectives.
Product overview
The Institute for Security and Technology is a 501(c)(3) critical action think tank that operates a portfolio of interconnected initiatives addressing technology and security challenges. Rather than a single product, IST offers multiple core initiatives focused on AI security (AI Risk Reduction Initiative, AI and NC3, AI Antitrust and National Security, AI Chip Export Control Initiative, AI Risk Barometer, SL5 Task Force), critical infrastructure resilience (UnDisruptable27, Energy FIRST), cybersecurity (Ransomware Task Force, K-12 Cyber Defense Coalition), and global stability (CATALINK, Religious Voices and Responsible AI). These initiatives produce policy frameworks (AIBOM, AI Loss of Control Risk Framework), toolkits (Blueprint for Ransomware Defense), reporting standards (Cyber Incident Reporting Framework), and convene stakeholders through programs (Cyber Policy Awards) and events (Critical Effect Conference). The organization unites policymakers, technology experts, and industry leaders to translate discourse into impact for national security and global stability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ransomware Task Force (RTF): A multistakeholder effort to identify and advance recommendations to reduce the risk of ransomware, with participation from across government, industry, and civil society
- AI and NC3 Initiative
- AI Risk Reduction Initiative
- AI Chip Export Control Initiative
- AI Risk Barometer
- CATALINK
- Energy FIRST
- SL5 Task Force
- Religious Voices and Responsible AI
- UnDisruptable27
Products and services
- AI and NC3 Initiative
- AI Risk Reduction Initiative
- AI Chip Export Control Initiative
- Ransomware Task Force (RTF)
- UnDisruptable27
- Energy FIRST Initiative
- CATALINK
- SL5 Task Force
- Religious Voices and Responsible AI
- K-12 Cyber Defense Coalition
- Blueprint for Ransomware Defense
- Cyber Incident Reporting Framework
- AI Bills of Materials (AIBOM) Framework
- AI Loss of Control Risk Framework
- AI Risk Barometer
- Cyber Policy Awards
Quantifiable outcome
- Ransomware Task Force framework published days before Colonial Pipeline attack, establishing foundational guidance for combating ransomware
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Institute for Security and Technology
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Institute for Security and Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Institute for Security and Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ICS VillagecoreICS Village is the presenting host of Critical Effect 2026 conference in partnership with IST's UnDisruptable27 project and Akin. ICS Village is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit equipping industry experts and policymakers with tools and trained workforce to defend critical infrastructure.
- AkincoreAkin is a partner in presenting Critical Effect 2026 conference alongside ICS Village and IST's UnDisruptable27 project. Akin DC hosted the venue at 2001 K Street NW, Washington DC.
- AI and FaithcoreIST partnered with AI and Faith to launch the Religious Voices and Responsible AI initiative, engaging religious communities on safe and beneficial AI development. The partnership works with evangelical churches and mosques to explore ethical implications of AI.
- Future of Life InstitutecoreFuture of Life Institute partnered with IST on the AI Risk Barometer project, which measures national security professionals' perceptions of AI futures through technically-informed surveys to elucidate AGI/ASI capability thresholds, potential benefits and harms, and governance approaches.
- Global Cyber AlliancecoreGlobal Cyber Alliance is part of the 7-member secretariat coordinating the Common Good Cyber Fund, a $50 million yearly budget initiative to support nonprofits protecting the internet.
- CyberPeace InstitutecoreCyberPeace Institute is part of the 7-member secretariat coordinating the Common Good Cyber Fund, supporting nonprofits protecting the internet with a $50 million yearly budget target.
- Shadowserver FoundationcoreShadowserver Foundation is part of the 7-member secretariat coordinating the Common Good Cyber Fund, working with Global Cyber Alliance and CyberPeace Institute on nonprofit cybersecurity support.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Institute for Security and Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Major bipartisan national security and technology policy think tank headquartered in Washington, DC. Directly comparable to IST as a peer institution producing reports, convening experts, and shaping U.S. cybersecurity and technology policy.
- Atlantic Council: International affairs think tank with significant programs on cyber policy, technology, and national security, including the GeoTech Center and Cyber Statecraft Initiative. Highly comparable to IST's work on AI, cybersecurity, and international engagement.
- RAND Corporation: Established policy research organization producing rigorous analysis on national security, technology, and cybersecurity. Operates a similar nonprofit think-tank model with a focus on research and convening to inform policy.
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Global think tank with programs on technology, nuclear policy, and international security. Comparable to IST in combining policy research with convening on emerging technology risks and great-power competition.
- Brookings Institution: Major public policy research organization with active programs on AI policy, cybersecurity, and national security. Comparable to IST in producing influential policy outputs and convening multistakeholder discussions.
- Aspen Institute: Nonpartisan policy and leadership studies organization with a cybersecurity-focused program (Aspen Cyber Group). Similar to IST in hosting working groups and producing policy recommendations on cybersecurity and technology.
- Global Cyber Alliance: Nonprofit organization focused on reducing cyber risk through practical tools and global partnerships. Directly comparable as a fellow 501(c)(3) working on cybersecurity capacity-building, and an actual IST partner on the Common Good Cyber Fund.
- Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD): Policy institute focused on national security and foreign policy, with growing work on technology and AI policy. Comparable to IST in producing policy research and convening experts on U.S. national security priorities.
- R Street Institute: Center-right think tank with active programs on cybersecurity and technology policy. Comparable to IST in addressing emerging technology risks through policy research and multistakeholder engagement.
- Hudson Institute: Policy research organization with work on national security, technology, and great-power competition. Comparable to IST in producing policy outputs on AI, cyber, and critical infrastructure security for U.S. policymakers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Institute for Security and Technology social profiles
Digital presenceInstitute for Security and Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Institute for Security and Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Institute for Security and Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
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Institute for Security and Technology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Institute for Security and Technology
What does Institute for Security and Technology do?
The Institute for Security and Technology is a 501(c)(3) critical action think tank that produces policy research, frameworks, and recommendations at the intersection of technology and security. Its core offerings include multistakeholder convening services, policy initiatives on AI security, ransomware, critical infrastructure, and nuclear stability, as well as public events such as the Cyber Policy Awards and Critical Effect Conference. The organization provides these outputs at no cost to advance public good and national security objectives.
Is Institute for Security and Technology a public or private company?
Institute for Security and Technology is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Institute for Security and Technology founded?
Institute for Security and Technology was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Institute for Security and Technology based?
Institute for Security and Technology is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Institute for Security and Technology make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are event Sponsorships and individual Donations.
Who are Institute for Security and Technology's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Atlantic Council, RAND Corporation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Brookings Institution, Aspen Institute, Global Cyber Alliance, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), R Street Institute and Hudson Institute.
Does Institute for Security and Technology have an API?
No public API is recorded for Institute for Security and Technology.
What industry is Institute for Security and Technology in?
Institute for Security and Technology's product category is Policy Research and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAO, Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes, with a secondary code of BPAIAHAE, Cyber Defense & Information Security (National Security). Its NAICS code is 928110 and its SIC code is 8700.