Nikita Shah is a senior fellow with the Intelligence, National Security, and Technology program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She has 10 years of experience as a national security professional in the UK government, having worked across its operational agencies and central policy departments. Nikita specializes in evolving cyber threats and the cyber ecosystem, the use of cyber capabilities in conflict, national cyber strategy, and strategic responses to threats. She holds a PhD in politics and international studies.
Areas of Expertise
In the News
First they went after medtech, then Kash Patel. Iranian hackers’ next target is likely ‘low-hanging fruit’ in water, energy, and tourism, experts say
Nikita Shah cited in Fortune — April 10, 2026
After Iran, A New Age of Terror?
Nikita Shah appearance on This Is Not A Drill Podcast — April 2, 2026
Hackers hit Patel email while cyber defenses weakened by shutdown
Lauryn Williams and Nikita Shah cited in Semafor — March 30, 2026
All Nikita Shah Content
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What Are the Unintended Consequences of the U.S.-Iran Conflict for Defense and Security?
Commentary by CSIS Scholars — April 9, 2026
Iran’s Cyber Threat: What’s Real, What’s Noise and What Comes Ahead
Podcast Episode by Lauryn Williams, Nikita Shah, and Kuhu Badgi — April 1, 2026
Demystifying Iranian Cyber Operations in the U.S.-Iran Conflict
Commentary by Nikita Shah — March 20, 2026