Prepared Testimony: The Modus Operandi and Toolbox of Russia and Other Autocracies for Undermining Democracies Throughout the World

"My name is Ben Buchanan. I’m a fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The primary focus of my research is examining how nations use their capabilities for attack and espionage in cyberspace against one another, and examining the strategies that drive this usage. One nation of great interest in this research is the Russian Federation. Over the past few years, I have spent much time trying to understand Russian cyber operations, how investigators can attribute particular activities to Russia or other states, how electoral processes can be interfered with, and what broader strategic dynamics are at play. In light of this work, I’d like to make three points to begin our discussion..."