A new State Department bureau would provide badly needed cybersecurity and technology training for diplomats.
www.eetasia.com, Nov. 08, 2021 –
A proposed U.S. State Department cyber bureau seeks to train diplomats in cybersecurity techniques needed to confront escalating attacks by hackers, many believed to be state-sponsored.
In late October, the department announced it would seek congressional approval for a new diplomatic bureau dedicated to cybersecurity and emerging technology.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the mission of the new Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, and its ambassador-at-large, would focus on cyber rules, as well as negotiations and deterrence. A separate special envoy for critical and emerging technology would oversee technology diplomacy with U.S. allies, partners and others.
While cybersecurity diplomacy may not seem immediately relevant to engineers and technology companies, the concept is very relevant to victims of ransomware attacks, data breaches or other cyberattacks, especially those aimed at critical infrastructure.