Interdisciplinary strategies for a safe society
Ariane Wolf, an experienced expert in societal security work, is taking over as head of the “Secure Society” department at the Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH (Cyberagentur). She and her team will focus on developing key socio-political research issues in the context of cyber security. Innovative solutions for a cyber-resilient society in the digital transformation are the aim of the research programs.
The challenges of cyber security are closely linked to socio-political and technological issues. The Cyberagentur addresses these interfaces through its “Secure Society” department, which focuses on topics such as digital identities, the cyber resilience of society, human-machine interactions and the strengthening of state cyber security capabilities. Ariane Wolf is a specialist who brings her interdisciplinary experience to these complex topics, including her work as head of the international Violence Prevention Network (VPN) department.
“Security in a digitalized society requires a deep understanding of the interdependencies between technology, politics and social dynamics. I look forward to working with a dedicated team of researchers to further develop existing programs and provide new impetus,” explains Ariane Wolf.
Ariane Wolf’s professional career is characterized by her work at central interfaces between science, practice and politics. At VPN – the world’s largest practical organization for the prevention of extremism – she set up international projects, acquired third-party funding, coordinated consortia and worked with partners such as the EU, UNODC and OSCE. In particular, she dealt with the interfaces between security actors, science, practice, politics, the justice system and (inter)national organizations. Her work included both the analysis of security policy risks and the development of practical solutions for areas of social conflict, such as safeguarding democracy and preventing online extremism. She worked closely with state actors, embassies and universities.
She has also worked for UNESCO and renowned non-governmental organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and Transparency International. With this broad professional background, she will contribute to developing innovative solutions for the complex challenges of digital security in her new role at the Cyberagentur.
“Security is not a purely technical issue,” emphasizes Ariane Wolf. “It requires the involvement of different disciplines and stakeholders. I see my role as combining interdisciplinary perspectives in research and practice in order to promote social resilience and digital sovereignty.”
In addition to her international professional experience, Ariane Wolf has a sound academic education: After studying economics, cultural studies, political science and peace research in Berlin, New York and London, she focused on the dynamics of prison systems and their security policy implications in her final theses. As a trained innovation coach (Design Thinking, Hasso-Plattner Institute/Design Futuring, Dark Horse Academy), she understands how to shape creative processes and lead teams through complex challenges. She will use these skills in her new role at Cyberagentur. With her diversity-oriented leadership style and her strategic way of thinking, Ariane Wolf wants to make a decisive impact on the “Secure Society” department.
Further information: https://www.cyberagentur.de/schwerpunkte/sichere-gesellschaft/