Dr. Itamara Lochard is the Director of the MIIS Cyber Security Initiative (MIIS CySec), a Senior Researcher in International Security at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and also a certified mediator. She regularly advises U.S. combatant commanders on her dataset of ~1,750 non-state armed groups including insurgents, terrorists, militias, criminal organizations, organized gangs and malicious cyber actors. For the past 25 years, she has examined sub-state groups’ para-state function, organizational structures, areas of operation, cooperation and use of technology. She merges these data with metrics of governance and other variables to identify patterns and shifts in tactics and strategies.

In addition to presenting papers at academic associations, her work has been featured at the NATO Defense College in Rome, the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Estonia, the Estonian Cyber Defense League, various UN-sponsored fora as well as at the Office of the Secretary of Defense Highlands Forum. Moreover, since 2008 Dr. Lochard has frequently been invited as a subject matter expert at the NATO Center of Excellence Defense against Terrorism (CoE-DAT) in Ankara. She also assisted NATO CoE-DAT in developing their initial and subsequent NATO Science for Peace advanced research workshops on terrorists’ use of technology, strategic communications and other topics. Recently, she facilitated the development of another NATO Science for Peace effort in the Republic of Macedonia focusing on cyber, which took place in October 2013. This was the first NATO sponsored cyber effort in the region. For several years, Dr. Lochard also served as a contributing editor of Princeton University’s Journal of Public & International Affairs.

Operationally, Dr. Lochard was the only U.S. civilian to participate in the initial two years of military to military, European Command (EUCOM)-funded, Computer Network Operation familiarization exercises by the United States in the Republics of Georgia and Estonia. Additionally, she created and commanded the first U.S. civilian cyber unit at the defense force rank of Colonel (MDDF). Since 2011 she has served as chair of the “Understanding the Local Environment” panel of the “Human Aspects of the Operational Environment” project of the NATO HUMINT Center of Excellence in Romania.  Moreover, she conducted and instructed tailor-specific research for several ISAF pre-deployment trainings for the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps base in Istanbul, Turkey (NRDC-T). In an effort to foster cooperation between the Baltic and Balkan regions, in Spring 2014 she coordinated and participated in the first cyber cooperative effort between the Ministries of Defense of the Republics of Macedonia and Estonia.

Dr. Lochard has also developed and taught graduate-level seminars on “Irregular War” as well as segments on the role of cyber in “Homeland Security” and “Crisis Management” seminars. In her role as Senior Researcher in International Security Studies and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Southwest Asia and Islamic Civilization at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, she also provided executive education to mid- to senior-level, political-military officers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic Armenia and the Critical National Infrastructure Authority of United Arab Emirates. At Fletcher, she co-charied Ph.D. colloquia and served on multiple faculty search committees, the Ph.D. committee as well as the renovation and reconstruction committee.

Subsequently,  in 2007 she created an “Advanced Irregular War” module at U.S. Joint Special Operations University to address 21^st-century opportunities and challenges for U.S. Special Forces. Dr. Lochard taught these twice a year from 2008-2012. She also provided instruction to NATO leadership at the NATO Defense College in Rome on media, strategic communications, crisis management and organizational structures of non-state armed groups as well as their use of technology. She did the same for the NATO Center of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism in Ankara, developing their first segment on”Terrorists Use of Cyber” segment in 2008 which was subsequently launched as a staple activity since 2009. This was the first week-long executive education course of its kind for the Alliance, to include Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperative Initiative participants the following year.  In order to help prepare next-generation leaders better understand digital age phenomena, Dr. Lochard taught the first cyber course to an international cadre of cadets during their 10-day, crisis-management field exercises in 2014.  She was the only U.S. civilian academic present among various militaries, the International Red Cross and Marshall Center instructors.

At MIIS, Dr. Lochard is responsible for creating  an interdisciplinary, networked platform to assess the policy impact of the information age on security, peace and communications in international affairs. This includes hard security, human security, economic/business issues, language and linguistics, social media, digital ethics and environmental issues. Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer in Office of the President at MIIS, she a) provides input and coordinates MIIS’ existing efforts related to information, communication and technology in multiple fields; b) creates a collaborative community of interest to increase public-private partnership; c) develops fora for international, key-leader engagement; and d) develops and coordinates MIIS’ research, grants and education on cyberspace policy issues.

In addition, Dr. Lochard offers instruction on “Non-State Actors in a Digital Era.” She also developed  and co-instructed the initial three-week, “Cyber Security and International Relations Executive Education” course for CySec partners at the Cooperative Monitoring Center of Sandia National Laboratories. This effort aims to use technology as a platform for cooperation among key countries. In addition to launching a CySec publication series, creating courses, developing a network of partners and a creating platform for international, key-leader engagement, she also provides guidance on incorporating cyber aspects into the relevant to curricula, research proposals and grants.

Dr. Lochard holds a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and four graduate degrees from Stanford University and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.  She received the Presidential Award for Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University. In 2011, was awarded a Medal of Honor for Special Services from the Cyber Defense League of the Estonian Defense Forces.

Selected Awards, Grants and Fellowships

Cyber Security and International Relations Executive Education grant, Cooperative Monitoring Center, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2014

Order of Thor, Military Cyber Professionals Association, Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, Monterey, California, 2013

Medal of Honor for Special Services, Republic of Estonia, Kaitseliit Cyber Division, Estonian Defense Forces, Estonian Defense League Headquarters – Tallinn, Estonia, 2011

International Security Studies Program Fellowship (renewed five years), Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University – Medford, Massachusetts

Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Fellowship (renewed four years), Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 Presidential Award for Citizenship and Public Service, Tufts University – Medford, Massachusetts

 Jebsen Center for Counter-Terrorism Studies Grant, Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University – Medford, Massachusetts

H.B. Earhart Foundation Fellowship, Ann Arbor, Michigan

 International Institute of Studies Fellowship, Stanford University – Stanford, California

George P. Shultz Grant, North America Forum, International Institute of Studies, Stanford University – Stanford, California

Selected Publications and Engagements

Co-author and Chair, “Dynamics of the Local Situation,” Human Aspects of the Operational Environment. NATO HUMINT Center of Excellence: Oradea, 2014.

“Addressing Complexity: Trends in Cyber Cooperation,” Dealing with the Threat — the Key Role of Industry Panel, 31st International Workshop on Global Security: l’Hôtel des Invalides – Paris, France, October 2014.

“The Modern Cybersecurity Landscape: A Path Forward,” Goldman Sachs Annual Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Conference, Washington, D.C., 29-30 September 2014.

“NATO-Led Cyber Operations: Cyber Challenges,”  NATO Partnership and Operations: Addressing Insecurities and Creating Security Workshop, EURO-Atlantic Council of Macedonia and NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division: Berovo, Macedonia, December 2013.

“Non-State Actors in a Digital World,” Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Skopje, Macedonia, 15 November 2013.

“Security Threats From Non-State Actors in Cyberspace,” NATO Advanced Training, Regional School on Cyber Defense, NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme of the Emerging Security Challenges Division: Ohrid, Macedonia / FYROM, October 2013.

Co-author and Chair, “Dynamics of the Local Situation – Part II,” Human Aspects of the Operational Environment. NATO HUMINT-Center of Excellence and NATO Science for Peace, Counter-Terrorism Programme of Work of the Emerging Security Challenges Division, NATO-HQ: Brussels, October 2013.

“The Information / Cyber Element in Afghanistan.”  NATO Center of Excellence-Defense Against Terrorism / COIN Seminar I – ISAF Senior Pre-Deployment Training. NATO Rapid Deployable Corps –Turkey (NRDC-T): Istanbul, Turkey, May 2013.

“The Economic / Corruption Element in Afghanistan.”  NATO Center of Excellence-Defense Against Terrorism / COIN Seminar I – ISAF Senior Pre-Deployment Training. NATO Rapid Deployable Corps–Turkey (NRDC-T): Istanbul, Turkey, May 2013.

“Patterns of Hybrid Threats.”  NATO Center of Excellence-Defense Against Terrorism / COIN Seminar I – ISAF Senior Pre-Deployment Training. NATO Rapid Deployable Corps –Turkey (NRDC-T): Istanbul, Turkey, May 2013.

“The Role of New Media and Technology in Terrorist Recruitment in Afghanistan.” NATO Center of Excellence-Defense Against Terrorism / COIN Seminar II – ISAF Senior Pre-Deployment Training. NATO Rapid Deployable Corps–Turkey (NRDC-T): Istanbul, Turkey, May 2013.

“Strategic Listening: Non-State Armed Groups’ STRATCOM.” NATO COIN Seminar – ISAF Senior Pre-Deployment Training. NATO Rapid Deployable Corps–Turkey (NRDC-T): Istanbul, Turkey, April 2013.

“Cyber Aspects of Irregular War.”  Baltic Defense College: Tartu, Estonia, April 2013.

“New Media and Technology in Terrorism Recruitment.” NATO Science for Peace Advanced Research Workshop on Recruitment and Root Causes of Terrorism from A Regional Perspective. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, April 2013.

“Evaluating Counter Terrorism Efforts.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, March 2013.

“Terrorism and the Media.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, March 2013.

“Terrorists’ Use of Cyber and Technology.” Estonian Defense League – Cyber Defense Unit: Tartu, Estonia, March 2013.

“Terrorists’ Use of the Cyber Domain.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, February 2013.

“Deterrence, Cyber and Terrorism Domain.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, February 2013.

Co-author and Chair, “Dynamics of the Local Situation – Part IV,” Human Aspects of the Operational Environment. NATO HUMINT-Center of Excellence and NATO Science for Peace, Counter-Terrorism Programme of Work of the Emerging Security Challenges Division: Bucharest, Romania, December 2012.

Co-author and Chair, “Dynamics of the Local Situation – Part III,” Human Aspects of the Operational Environment. NATO HUMINT-Center of Excellence and NATO Science for Peace, Counter-Terrorism Programme of Work of the Emerging Security Challenges Division: Kitzbuhel, Austria, September 2012.

“The Role of Technology in Terrorist Recruitment.” NATO Science for Peace Advanced Research Workshop on Prevention of Recruitment by Terrorist Organizations. NATO Center of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, September 2012.

Co-author and Chair, “Dynamics of the Local Situation – Part II,” Human Aspects of the Operational Environment. NATO HUMINT-Center of Excellence and NATO Science for Peace, Counter-Terrorism Programme of Work of the Emerging Security Challenges Division: Transylvania, Romania, June 2012.

“Understanding the Role of Non-State Actors in the Information Age,” Human Aspects of the Operational Environment, NATO HUMINT Center of Excellence: Oradea, Romania, June 2012.

“Strategies for International Cyberspace Stability: Employing the Lessons of Deterrence.” NATO Cyber Cooperation and Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCOE) CyCon 2012: Tallinn, Estonia, June 2012.

“Terrorists’ Use of Cyberspace.” Cyber Terrorism Awareness, Policy and Management. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey,  May 2012.

“Countering Terrorists’ Use of Cyber for Critical Infrastructure Protection.” NATO Science for Peace Advanced Research Workshop on Critical Infrastructure Protection. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, May 2012.

“Non-state Armed Groups in the Fog of Tweets: A quantitative and qualitative assessment of non-state armed groups and governance metrics, 1996-2011.” “Not Your Dad’s Globalization – Technology and Illicit Networks,” Power, Principles and Participation in the Global Information Age, International Studies Association (ISA) Conference:  San Diego, California, April 2012. Published on ISA website.

“Strategic Communications and Conflict Resolution.” Efficient Crisis Management to Mitigate the Effects of Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism and NATO Rapid Deployment Corps-T: Istanbul, Turkey, March 2012.

“Analysis of Terrorist Group Typologies.” Efficient Crisis Management to Mitigate the Effects of Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism and NATO Rapid Deployment Corps-T: Istanbul, Turkey, February 2012.

“Intelligence Sharing in the Fog of Tweets: 21st century dynamics & emerging threats.” NATO Science for Peace Advanced Research Workshop on Recruitment and Root Causes of Terrorism from A Regional Perspective. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, December 2011.

“Technological Elements of Intelligence Sharing in Defense Against Terrorism.” NATO Science for Peace Advanced Research Workshop on Technological Dimensions of Defense against Terrorism. Ankara, Turkey: NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism, November 2011.

“Types of Terrorist Organizations.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, May 2011.

“Terrorists’ Use of Cyber.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. Ankara, Turkey: NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism, May 2011.

“Strategic Listening to Combat Terrorism.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, May 2011.

“Deterring Cyber Attacks by Terrorist Groups.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, March 2011.

“Project on Strategic Space Studies III.” U.S. Air Force Academy Workshop on Cyber Conflict and Terrorism. Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies, U.S. Air Force Academy:  Colonial Room, Mayflower Hotel – Washington, D.C., July 2010.

“Terrorists’ Communication in Cyberspace.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, April 2010.

“Countering Terrorists’ Communication in Cyberspace.” NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, March 2010.

“Strategic Listening – Winning the War of Ideas,” NATO International Symposium on Global Terrorism and International Cooperation – III: Ankara, Turkey – Bilkent Conference Center, March 2010.

“The Changing Security Environment – Media and Strategic Communication.” NATO Senior Officer Seminar. NATO Defense College: Rome, Italy, March 2010.

“Cyber Commons, Engagement and Deterrence” (Moderator) U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense Highlands Forum. Washington, D.C. – Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), February 2010.

“Strategic Communications in Combatting Terrorism.” NATO Senior Officer Seminar.  NATO Defense College: Rome, Italy, November 2009.

“Winning Hearts and Minds – Strategic Listening.” NATO Science for Peace Advanced Research Workshop on Recruitment and Root Causes of Terrorism from A Regional Perspective. NATO Centre of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism: Ankara, Turkey, May 2009.

“Infrastructure Protection, Cyber Crime, Non-State Armed Groups and Irregular Warfare: A View from Brazil.” National Perspectives on Infrastructure Protection, Cyber Crime and the Potential or War in Cyber Space Panel, Conference on Challenges in International Cyber Security, Fort Lesley J. McNair, National Defense University Center for Technology and National Security Policy: Washington, D.C., April 2009.

“Human Security.” United Nations Global Creative Leadership Summit. Louise Blouin Foundation and UN Office of Partnerships: Metropolitan Club – New York, September 2008.

“Internet Security.” United Nations Global Creative Leadership Summit. Louise Blouin Foundation and UN Office of Partnerships: Metropolitan Club – New York, September 2008.

“Non-State Armed Groups in Cyber-Conflict: Goals, organization and relationships.” U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense Highlands Forum: Aspen Wye River Plantation, Maryland: April 2008.

“Gangs, Criminal Organizations and the State: Lessons from the PCC and the Chinese Triad.” U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense Highlands Forum: Aspen Wye River Plantation, Maryland: March 2008.

“Irregular War and Armed Groups.” Joint Special Operations Irregular War Advanced Course (JSOIWAC), Joint Special Operations University (JSOU): MacDill Air Force Base – Tampa, FL, 2008 – 2012.

Interview. “Patterns of Insurgencies and the Case of Iraq.” The Christian Science Monitor, May 2005.

Interview. “Patterns of Insurgencies and the Case of Iraq,” The World Today, BBC News, May 2005.

“Understanding Low Governance States: A quantitative and qualitative assessment of armed groups, governance and intrastate conflict.” Medford, MA: Jebsen Center for Counter-Terrorism Studies, 2005.

Co-authored. “Armed Groups: A Tier-One Priority.” Institute for National Security Studies, U.S. Air Force:  Boulder, Colorado, 2004.