Dr. Bilyana Lilly, Associate Director, Cyber Strategy Practice, Accenture
Q: You have a tremendous international professional background that encompasses a wide range of roles, geographies and organizations, from academia, corporate governance and global nonprofit. What inspired you to pursue a career in cybersecurity and information warfare, and how did your early experiences shape your path?
A: Thank you. I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I spent a summer in Kosovo, where I studied international humanitarian law with Saddam Husein’s lawyer (Saddam was still alive then). I was fascinated by the complexities of conflicts and horrified by the devastation of infrastructure which I saw in Kosovo. The country had been bombed by Serbia just a few years prior to my summer there and the destructive effects of that war were still visible everywhere – from the gutted churches to the dysfunctional hospitals. Witnessing the aftermath of such devastation deeply affected me, making me realize that war is the most terrible thing that can happen to a country. I decided to dedicate my career to understanding and preventing conflict.
My first steps were at the United Nations, where I focused on nuclear terrorism and deterrence, tackling some of the most traditional and existential aspects of warfare. However, the 2016 Russian interference in the U.S. elections marked a turning point in my career. I realized that cyberspace had become a critical domain of modern warfare and that the same military and political imperatives driving nuclear strategy were shaping Russian cyber operations. I applied the lessons I had learned from nuclear policy, and I shifted my focus to cybersecurity and information warfare as they became pivotal arenas in global conflict.
Q: Sentinel Blue follows the intersections of national and cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure in its focus on defense industrial base cyber programming and governance. What trends in these cybersecurity landscapes with regards to information warfare do you believe will be most critical for organizations within the DIB to address in the coming years?
A: I anticipate that geopolitical conflict will increasingly shape the cybersecurity landscape, transforming it into an enterprise-wide challenge that spans multiple sectors. Businesses can no longer afford to remain detached from political agendas, as private sector infrastructure will become even more vulnerable and directly targeted by nation-states. Organizations within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) will need to build resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks and prepare for scenarios in which their systems become focal points in larger geopolitical conflicts.
Q: You have a fascinating origin story of unabashed leadership and an undeniable ability to throw light on global geopolitical issues that are making their way to mainstream consciousness: although you’ve been denounced by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, your drive for imparting expertise and awareness around information warfare and corresponding geopolitical dynamics is a force! Where does this drive come from?
A: Thank you! I grew up in a small town in Bulgaria during the country’s transition from communism to democracy. This transformative period gave me a front-row seat to the damaging consequences of living under a communist regime. I experienced the paralyzing effects of disinformation, corruption, a centrally controlled economy, and the lack of rule of law—all of which stifled critical thought and prosperity.
Today, I see those same political and cultural legacies being actively exported by countries like Russia and China through their information warfare agendas. Having witnessed firsthand the limitations and hardships of living in such systems, I am deeply motivated to preserve and strengthen democracy, a system I believe—despite its flaws—is vastly superior. This personal conviction fuels my drive to shed light on these critical issues and contribute to defending democratic values worldwide.
Q: You’ve had the opportunity to work alongside remarkable individuals with your roles at the United Nations, Deloitte, and the RAND Corporation. How did they contribute to your expertise and motivation in ensuring awareness in cybersecurity and information warfare?
A: I have been incredibly fortunate to work with inspiring mentors and colleagues who not only trusted me but also provided invaluable guidance that shaped my expertise and worldview. Their support and insights have played a critical role in my professional growth, particularly in fostering my understanding of complex global issues and the importance of collaboration in solving them. They instilled in me a strong work ethic and a commitment to making meaningful contributions in the fields of cybersecurity and information warfare.
Q: As our society comes to terms with misinformation and information warfare, from a social media perspective, what are some key things or basics we need to be aware of to safeguard our personal and professional integrity when it comes to these platforms?
A: My number one piece of advice is this: be critical consumers of information. Avoid treating social media as a primary source of news unless you are following the verified accounts of credible news organizations. Additionally, it is important to scrutinize the sources of information you encounter online and remain aware of how algorithms can influence what you see, often prioritizing sensationalism over accuracy. Practicing digital literacy and taking the time to verify facts are essential steps to safeguarding both personal and professional integrity in the age of information warfare.
Q: You are a published author with books like, Russian Information Warfare and Russia’s Foreign Policy toward Missile Defense, and more recently, the remarkable fictional “Digital Mindhunters”. Congratulations first of all! What insights do these books, provide about the intersection of cybersecurity and geopolitics overall, and how does writing these lend to your mentoring capabilities?
A: Thank you, Elizabeth! Russian Information Warfare offers an academic analysis of how cybersecurity is integrated into Russia’s foreign policy. It presents a comprehensive framework for identifying, comparing, and assessing the effectiveness of Russia’s non-kinetic, malicious activities. On the other hand, Digital Mindhunters is a fictional exploration of these same themes, presented in a more compelling and accessible format. The novel also illustrates how nations like China might leverage disinformation and artificial intelligence against the U.S., and it offers a glimpse into the future of information warfare.
Writing these works has not only deepened my expertise but also honed my ability to convey complex ideas in both technical and relatable terms. This has greatly enhanced my mentoring capabilities, as I can effectively communicate key insights to diverse audiences, from policymakers to students and professionals.
