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Education

Ph.D. in Philosophy | July 2024 - Present

Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, DC

                Current Status: first year

                Research Focus: Military Cyber Force and Geopolitics in Cyberspace

                Advisor: Dr. Thomas Rid

 

MIA in National Security and Diplomacy | 2017

The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, TX

                Fields: US Military Policy, Cyber Policy, Strategy and Security

 

BA in History and Art History | 2011

The University of Louisville, KY

                Fields: Military History, Greek and Roman Art and Architecture

 

AS in Intelligence Operations | 2013

Cochise College, AZ

                Fields: Human Intelligence Collection

Research Experience

Research Assistant, Johns Hopkins SAIS

Department of Strategic Studies | July 2024 – Present

  • Conducted comprehensive research on international cyberspace agreements.

 

Non-resident Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis

Tech Policy Program & Defense and Security | August 2023 – Present

  • Provide short-form publications and participate in public and private policy discussions.

  • Participate in or speak at public and private CEPA events relevant to the subject matter.

  • Peer review or contribute to CEPA policy reports.

 

Russia Security and Strategy Fellow, Alexander Hamilton Society & The Public Interest Fellowship

The Security and Strategy Seminar | 2023 – 2024

  • Completed an intensive program involving extensive readings and the submission of two analytical essays focusing on national security and strategic studies.

  • Participated in a crisis simulation and attended a writing workshop conference.

Publications

Working Papers

  • Otto, Emily R. “Navigating State Cyber Competition: Harnessing Knowledge Management for Competitive Advantage in an Infinite Game”

 

Policy Essays

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Book Reviews

 

Op-Eds and Public Commentary

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, Intelligence II: Signals and Cyber, Dr. Thomas Rid and Dr. Melissa Griffith

January 2025 – Present | Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • This course introduces the evolving nature of intelligence and state competition in the digital age—goals, methods, and actors. We explore the evolution of how states compete by collecting, weaponizing, and manipulating data, targeting global data infrastructure and systems.

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Guest Lecturer, Technology and International Security Competition, Dr. Jane Vaynman
October 22, 2024 | Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Delivered a lecture on “Cyber Weapons,” discussing the dual use of hardware and software in military cyber operations, the blurred line between military and civilian use, and the challenges and implications of classifying cyber tools as ‘weapons.’

Professional Experience

Cyber Operations Advisor (Skillbridge Intern), Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Asymmetric Operations Sector | January 2024 – April 2024

  • Drafted grant proposals supporting collaborative research with JHU-SAIS to investigate Chinese economic statecraft with APL’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities.

  • Authored an operational methodology proposal of persistent engagement concepts for crisis and conflict to executive USCYBERCOM leadership.

 

Cyber Warfare Officer, US Army

Cyber Protection Brigade, Ft. Gordon; Cyber National Mission Force, Ft. Meade | July 2017 – May 2024

  • Led and executed cyber operations, overseeing the development and deployment of offensive and defensive cyber operations to protect national security assets and infrastructure.

  • Planned and translated national strategic guidance into operational directives, ensuring alignment with Department of Defense objectives.

 

Human Intelligence Sergeant, US Army

First Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood | January 2013 – August 2015

  • Conducted intelligence collection, analysis, and publishing, providing critical human intelligence reports to inform strategic and tactical decision-making for military operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

  • Trained in interrogation, source operations, and debriefing techniques, ensuring accurate and actionable intelligence.

Service and Outreach

  • Otto, E. (November 2024). Panelist for “Beyond 75 Years: NATO’s Impact on Stability and Democracy” in From the Ashes: Cultural Identity and National Security in the Age of Conflict symposium supported by NATO and hosted by The Center for European Policy Analysis, International Arts and Artists, and The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

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  • Otto, E. (July 2024). Speaker and panelist for “Careers in Foreign Policy and National Security” at the Student Leadership Conference, hosted by Alexander Hamilton Society, Washington DC.

 

  • Otto, E. (March 2024). Speaker and panelist for “Technological Advancements Affecting Military Intelligence” at Women in Intelligence: Inspiring the Next Generation, hosted by The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

 

  • Otto, E. (March 2022). Speaker and panelist for “Technological Advancements Affecting Military Intelligence” at Women in Intelligence: Inspiring the Next Generation, hosted by The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Presentations and Conferences

  • Otto, E. (2024) Playing an Infinite Game: Tactics for Maintaining Competitive Advantage in Cyber Competition. Paper presented to the Office of Net Assessment, Office of Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC

 

  • Otto, E. (January 26 and February 9, 2024) Participant and Contributor for the Global Partnership for Responsible Cyber Behavior’s Responsible Cyber Behavior Scoping Workshop, hosted by The Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies, London (Remote)

 

  • Otto, E. (2024) Navigating State Cyber Competition: Harnessing Knowledge Management for Competitive Advantage in an Infinite Game. Paper presented at the Cyber & Innovation Policy Institute’s summer workshop Military Cyber: Past, Present, and Future hosted by US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.

 

  • Otto, E. (May 2017). Alternative Cyber Futures: Challenges and Opportunities. Co-authored paper presented to Command Action Group, US Cyber Command, and Commander of Cyber National Mission Force at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

Awards and Honors

Alperovitch PhD Fellowship, Johns Hopkins SAIS

Alperovitch Institute | July 2024 – Current

  • An endowed fellowship that provides financial support for students with a concentration in cybersecurity policy.

 

Dean’s Leadership Certificate

The Bush School of Government and Public Service | 2017

  • Awarded for demonstrating exemplary leadership, academically and through extracurricular involvement in leadership programs at the school, as well as completion of workshops, assessments, and experiential learning activities.

 

Distinguished Military Graduate, Reserve Officer Training Corps

US Army | 2016

  • Awarded to individuals who nationally rank in the top 20% of Army Cadets by demonstrating high academic performance, physical fitness, and extracurricular achievements.

 

LTG Timothy Maude Green to Gold Scholarship

The Maude Foundation | 2016

  • Named in honor of the highest-ranking officer killed in the 9/11 attacks, the scholarship assists prior-enlisted students in offsetting living costs while pursuing a commission.

Professional Affiliations

Cyber Military Professionals, Member, 2017 - Present

  • Named in honor of the highest-ranking officer killed in the 9/11 attacks, the scholarship assists prior-enlisted students in offsetting living costs while pursuing a commission.

 

Alexander Hamilton Society, Member, 2015 - Present

  • Engage in discussions and events focused on US foreign policy, national security, and economic strategy alongside leading experts and policymakers.

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Army Navy Club, Member, 2023 - Present

  • Engage in discussion, networking, and speaking events focused on strategy, defense policy, and national security with military, government, and defense industry leaders.

Workshops and Training

Demystifying the USG Inter-Agency Process & Intelligence Collection Authorities
Elly Rostoum | Dec 8-9, 2024 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Discussed the USG Interagency process, key actors’ roles, coordination mechanisms, and legal frameworks and conducted a crisis simulation to exercise knowledge of policy development, decision-making, and interagency collaboration.

 

AI & LLMs for Automation and Intelligence
Gabriel Bernadett-Shapiro | Nov 3-4, 2024 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Used Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate and enhance analysis through hands-on training to engineer inputs and automate analysis.

 

The Science of Hacking: Weird Machines, Vulnerabilities, and Exploits
Perri Adams | October 25-28, 2024 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Discussed what makes computers so hackable and why they are hard to secure, as well as conducted hands-on exploitation exercises.

 

How to Build an Offensive Cyber Program
Daniel Moore | June 21-22, 2024 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Discussed what components are required to build a national offensive cyber program that can pursue national objectives and conducted simulation.

 

Malware Analysis Primer
Juan Andreas Guerrero-Saade | Jan 17-20, 2023 | Alperovitch Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

  • Conducted malware analysis and reverse engineering through hands-on training with malware samples to develop familiarity with static and dynamic analysis.

Technical Certifications and Courses

  • Cisco Certified Network Associate, Cisco, 2022

  • Certified Incident Handler, ANSI, EC-Council - ECC5648137290, 2021

  • Associate of (ISC)², 2021

  • Information Technology Infrastructure Library, PeopleCert - GR750580214EO, 2019

  • CompTIA Security+, CompTIA - COMP001021389638, 2018

  • Linux Essentials, Linux Professional Institute - 8lwja7xp2a, 2020

  • CompTIA Cloud Essentials+, CompTIA - COMP001021389638, 2020

  • CompTIA Net+, CompTIA - COMP001021389638, 2020

  • CompTIA A+, CompTIA - COMP001021389638, 2020

  • Malware Analysis Primer, Johns Hopkins SAIS University, 2023

  • Introduction to Cryptography, Western Governors University, 2021

  • Data Management Foundations, Western Governors University, 2020

  • Scripting and Programming Foundations, Western Governors University, 2020

  • Web Development Foundations, Western Governors University, 2020

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