Write for Threat Beat

Threat Beat was founded in 2025 as a project of the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University. Based in Washington, D.C., Threat Beat brings the latest comprehensive original and aggregated content on attacks, adversaries and critical infrastructure threats to readers both inside and outside of the security community. Threat Beat presents timely commentary and analysis from McCrary experts as well as views from those outside the institute.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

Threat Beat accepts pitches and submission from individuals in the security community or those who are connected to topics related to critical infrastructure security.

• Pieces must be original content and have not been published elsewhere. Previously published works with permission to reprint in full will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• We value fresh takes on critical topics within our coverage areas. Our core readers know that security is important, so focus on a particular trend, tactic, threat, etc., of which they may not be aware.
• Length is generally 700-950 words, with some flexibility. Pieces should be long enough to develop the topic or argument, yet not so long that readers may not get through the piece.
• We generally use Associated Press Style with a few exceptions, and pieces will be edited to conform with our house style.
• Expert commentary and analysis should reach out to our core audience of the security community while being accessible to the readers who come to Threat Beat from outside of the community. We don’t want to talk down to our community, and at the same time we want every reader to learn more about these critical topics regardless of their level of expertise.
• Pieces should be structured for a news site and not include footnotes. Facts included in the piece – such as reports cited, statistics, background information, etc. – should be supported with hyperlinks within the text.
• If writers are wishing to discuss their research, please follow these guidelines for original commentary and analysis to sum up findings in a shorter article. We can either direct readers to a location where they can access the full report or provide it for download at Threat Beat.
• We cater to all readers within the security community and those who want to learn more about critical security topics. Therefore, commentary and analysis pieces must be apolitical.
• No marketing of products or services is allowed in our editorial content. We offer sponsored content opportunities that can accommodate this; please reach out for more information.
• Writers will be able to review and approve edits before publication.
• Writers can subsequently reprint their pieces at other publications with credit to Threat Beat and a link back to the original post on Threat Beat.

To submit a pitch for consideration, please contact Executive Editor Bridget Johnson at [email protected].

REPORTERS

Threat Beat considers freelance reporters who bring expertise in the security community and have established credentials through writing for other media outlets. Assignments may include event coverage, congressional/govcon coverage, breaking news reporting or enterprise pieces. Please review the categories that we cover on Threat Beat, then submit your résumé, clips or links to previous work, your area(s) of interest and a good story idea for consideration to Executive Editor Bridget Johnson at [email protected].