Christopher Painter

Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Strategic Technologies Program
Christopher Painter

Christopher Painter is a globally recognized leader on cyber policy, cyber diplomacy, cybersecurity, and combating cybercrime. He has been at the vanguard of cyber issues for over 30 years, first as a federal prosecutor handling some of the most high-profile cyber cases in the United States and then as a senior official at the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, National Security Council, and, finally, as the world’s first cyber diplomat at the Department of State. Among many other things, Chris is president of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise Foundation, serves on the board of the Center for Internet Security and the Public Sector Advisory Board for Palo Alto Networks, and was a commissioner on the Global Commission for the Stability of Cyberspace. He is a frequent speaker on cyber issues, frequently is interviewed and quoted in the media, and has testified in front of congressional committees. He has received a number of awards and honors, including Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, Estonia's Order of Terra Mariana, RSA Security Conference's Public Policy Award, and the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, and was named the Bartles World Affairs Fellow at Cornell University. He received his B.A. from Cornell University and J.D. from Stanford Law School.

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Inside Cyber Diplomacy

How to Make Cyber Policy a Headline in Brussels

Jim Lewis and Chris Painter talk to Estonia's former ambassador at large for cyber diplomacy Heli Tirmaa-Klaar.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — August 27, 2024

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

The UN Ad Hoc Cybercrime Negotiations: The End Is Nigh, Or Is It?

In this episode, hosts Jim Lewis and Chris Painter engage in a dynamic conversation with return guest Ambassador (ret.) Deborah McCarthy. She shares insights, as the lead negotiator for the United States, on the status and prospects for the proposed United Nations Cybercrime Treaty.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — May 1, 2024

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

2023 Year in Review

In the last episode of the season, hosts Jim Lewis and Chris Painter recap the cyber diplomacy developments of 2023.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — January 3, 2024

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

Shaping Global Partnerships for a Secure Digital Future

In this episode Jim Lewis and Chris Painter speak with Leonard Rolland, Head of International Cybersecurity Policy at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They discuss the current state of play in cyber diplomacy and the importance of global partnerships for advancing responsible state behavior in cyberspace.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — December 7, 2023

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

A New Strategy for Digital Diplomacy

In this episode, hosts Jim Lewis and Chris Painter speak with the U.S. Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel C. Fick. They discuss the inseparable relationship between tech and foreign policy, what issues the bureau is focusing on right now and reflect on Ambassador Fick’s first year in this inaugural role.  

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — October 23, 2023

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

Enhancing Cyber Operations through Partner Capacity Development

Jim Lewis and Chris Painter speak with Mark Montgomery about his latest report “Building Partner Capabilities for Cyber Operations," what cyber resilience really means and the role of U.S. federal agencies in all of this.  

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — September 28, 2023

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

The Proposed United Nations Cybercrime Convention

In this episode, Jim Lewis and Chris Painter speak with Ambassador (ret.) Deborah McCarthy, the lead negotiator for the United States on the proposed United Nations cybercrime convention, which seems to be going so well the Russians probably regret proposing it. The discussion covers the state of negotiations, the effect of the e-Evidence and CLOUD Act, multi-stakeholder participation, and more.  

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — August 7, 2023

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

Implementing Cyber Confidence-Building Measures

Jim Lewis and Chris Painter speak with Szilvia Tóth about the implementation of cyber confidence-building measures.

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — March 7, 2023

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy
Inside Cyber Diplomacy

Capacity Building and Cyber Resilience

Jim Lewis and Chris Painter speak with Kerry-Ann Barrett about national cybersecurity strategies, the importance of intelligent capacity building, norms and accountability, what’s next for the OAS, and more. 

Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter — February 13, 2023

CSIS Inside Cyber Diplomacy