From Adversaries to Assets: When Hackers Shape National Security

Cybersecurity has become a core pillar of national security. As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, governments are rethinking their approach: not only defending against hackers, but in some cases engaging or integrating cyber talent into their strategies. Where is the line between threat and asset? Bringing together perspectives from government, private sector security, and cyber intelligence, this session explores how the role of hackers is evolving in today’s geopolitical landscape, and what it means to turn adversaries into capabilities. As boundaries blur between state and non-state actors, the discussion examines how governments and companies are redefining cooperation, deterrence, and resilience in cyberspace.