Graham Brookie, Former Obama White House National Security Council Member, Leads Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Atlantic Council, a NATO think-tank with seven living CIA directors as members, recently announced the appointment of Graham Brookie as the leader of its Digital Forensic Research Lab. Brookie is a former member of the Obama White House National Security Council and has worked in various capacities in the field of digital forensics. Brookie has held numerous positions in government and private sector roles since leaving his post at the White House. He was most recently employed by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) as a senior analyst on cyber security and technology policy. Prior to that, he served as an adviser to the U.S. Department of Defense's Cyber Command from 2014 to 2017. At the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, Brookie will lead a team dedicated to uncovering disinformation campaigns and other forms of digital manipulation around the world. He will also be responsible for developing new research methods for tracking online activities related to foreign interference in elections and other political processes. The lab is funded by Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter through their Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT). It was established in 2017 with an initial focus on understanding how terrorist groups use social media platforms for recruitment and propaganda purposes. Since then it has expanded its scope to include researching all forms of online manipulation including state-sponsored influence operations targeting democracies around the world. Brookie said he was excited about taking on this role at such an important time when democracies are facing threats from both state actors and non-state actors using digital tools for malicious purposes such as disinformation campaigns or election interference operations. “I am thrilled to join this talented team at such a critical moment," he said in a statement released by the Atlantic Council announcing his appointment."We have an incredible opportunity here not only to help protect democratic processes but also create new models for transparency around digital activities that can help shape global norms."