Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy

At this year’s Council on Foreign Relations Term Member Conference, Ambassador at Large Nathaniel Fick took center stage to discuss the future of #TechDiplomacy and the critical role of international collaboration in shaping our digital future. 🌍💻 During the Q&A, he emphasized the importance of #DigitalSolidarity, bringing together nations, public-private sectors, and civil society to address the complex challenges of today’s digital age. The path forward is clear: it requires collaboration across borders, sectors, and cultures to shape a digital world that benefits everyone. Ambassador Fick underscored the importance of multilateral efforts to set global standards for emerging technologies and strengthen partnerships to close the digital divide. From emerging threats in #cyberspace to the transformative power of AI, the U.S. remains committed to ensuring that technology strengthens global security, promotes economic prosperity, and upholds human rights A big thank you to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) for inviting us! We look forward to continuing these conversations as we work toward building a more secure, resilient digital world. 🎥 Stream now: https://lnkd.in/eXGWEYKz

🌐 VSFS Interns Support the Mission for a Secure and Open Cyberspace! 🌐    We are thrilled to highlight the impactful work of our virtual interns at the State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. These dedicated students are playing a crucial role in advancing U.S. cyber and digital policies on a global scale. Here’s a glimpse into their everyday work: Policy Advancement: Collaborating with U.S. diplomats to promote and implement cyber and digital policies worldwide. Strategic Initiatives:  Supporting the U.S. candidate for Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union.  Promoting global participation in Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Assisting in diplomatic campaigns to counter cyber adversaries. Advocating for technology that strengthens democracy and respects human rights. Content Creation: Drafting speeches, public statements, and social media content, and planning events to effectively reach key audiences. Research and Analysis: Conducting open-source research to support policy development and implementation.    For more information on the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, visit our website. https://lnkd.in/eRxfEwRk Thank you to our VSFS interns in supporting a secure, open, and reliable Internet for everyone around the world. 🌍💻 If you are a VSFS intern and would like to share your VSFS story, please see the “Intern Impact” link in our bio. 

We are thrilled to congratulate Ambassador Nathaniel Fick for being named one of the esteemed honorees in the 2024 CyberScoop 50 Awards as a Cybersecurity Visionary! This recognition is a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing cybersecurity both in the public and private sectors, and his leadership in promoting digital solidarity on a global scale. 🌐 Since its establishment in April 2022, CDP has focused on fostering collaboration, innovation, and security across borders, uniting nations in the fight against ransomware, and ensuring through CDP’s growing capacity-building efforts that all nations have the tools needed to foster economic growth. Through CDP’s work, Ambassador Fick champions the critical role of partnerships between the public and private sectors in achieving a secure digital future. From steering conversations on AI for sustainable development to advocating for the protection of critical infrastructure like undersea cables, the work being done across CDP under Ambassador Fick’s leadership with partners across the globe truly exemplifies the spirit of #DigitalSolidarity. Kudos to Ambassador Fick for this well-deserved honor! #CyberScoop50

At the OECD Global Forum on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy in Milan, CDP Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Bachus led discussions on how governments can play a constructive role in safeguarding free speech while combating the spread of disinformation. Joined by leaders such as Albero Barachini, Undersecretary of State for Italy; Akis Skertsos, Minister of State for Greece; Kanbar Hossein-Bor, Deputy Director from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Laura Bononcini, Director of Public Policy at Meta, and Paul-Joël Kamtchang, Executive Director of ADISI Cameroun, the panel explored how we can collectively strengthen the resilience of our information ecosystems. Her opening remarks set the tone: “Governments in democratic societies must remain at a distance from the information ecosystem, ensuring space for civil society, journalists, fact-checkers, and the private sector to foster open dialogue.” Jennifer also highlighted ongoing work with the OECD Information Integrity Hub, which the U.S. co-chairs with France. She pointed to key achievements like the OECD’s report “Facts not Fakes,” and the ongoing development of an OECD Council Recommendation on Information Integrity—a global effort to ensure transparent, pluralistic, and trustworthy information spaces. Our shared commitment to #DigitalSolidarity is about upholding the values that make democracies thrive. Together, we can address the risks posed to information integrity and strengthen democratic resilience worldwide.

"The era of technology presents both challenges and opportunities, reminding us that we are not powerless and we are not alone. By uniting in our efforts, we can shape a digital future that aligns with our values, ensuring a more secure, prosperous, and equitable world for all." – Ambassador Fick At Singapore International Cyber Week, Ambassador Fick delivered keynote remarks highlighting the essential role of global cooperation in addressing the complexities of the digital landscape. Fick emphasized the U.S. commitment to fostering an open and secure internet, where collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society is key. He pointed to successful initiatives like the U.S.-Singapore Critical and Emerging Technology Dialogue, which reinforces our dedication to building a trusted technology ecosystem that serves everyone. Through #DigitalSolidarity, we can amplify our collective efforts to tackle pressing issues like misinformation, cybersecurity risks, and global inequality. It’s imperative that we work together to ensure that the future of technology is secure and empowering.

Midway through #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth, we are proud to highlight a key moment in advancing gender equality in cyberspace. The Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) co-sponsors the WiC Fellowship, an inspiring initiative designed to increase women’s representation in United Nations negotiations on cyberspace. On September 11, the CDP was honored to attend the Women in International Security and Cyberspace (WiC) Breakfast, hosted by the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) at their Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. This program empowers women to take on leading roles in shaping global cybersecurity policies. By investing in programs like WiC, we contribute to the broader effort of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion – key mission enablers - in international cybersecurity discussions. We are also helping to ensure that cybersecurity policy and best practices benefit from the inclusion of capable, diverse leaders from around the world. WiC demonstrates how collaboration and capacity building can open doors for underrepresented groups in the digital space, creating a more resilient, innovative and inclusive cyber future. As we continue celebrating #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth, let’s continue to grow the cyber tent. #DigitalSolidarity #TechDiplomacy #CommunityEngagement

What an incredible week in 🇮🇹 at the G7 Industry and Technological Innovation Ministerial and the G7 Digital and Tech Ministerial Meeting! 🌍✨ Ambassador Fick led transformative discussions on AI for sustainable development, emphasizing our commitment to collaboration with G7 nations and African partners. Amb. Fick highlighted how strengthening the value chain through safe, secure, and trustworthy AI can drive sustainable growth across industries. The U.S. is committed to fostering public-private partnerships that promote innovation while ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared equitably. By working together, we can leverage AI as a powerful tool for inclusive opportunities, particularly in Africa, ensuring that digital transformation leaves no one behind. The United States and United Kingdom announced the Child Online Safety Joint Statement – a bold step to protect children’s online health, safety, and privacy. This is a critical priority as we continue building a digital future rooted in trust and shared values. This summit was not just about dialogue; it was about actionable solutions. From industrial policy to tech supply chains, multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential to navigating global challenges and ensuring AI and digital technologies are used responsibly. Together, we are paving the way for a safer, more equitable, and sustainable digital future. #DigitalSolidarity #AIforGood #G7Innovation Check out the statement here: https://lnkd.in/dYw8b-7B

🌍 Exciting News! The CDP-Funded Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge continues to expand U.S. cyber engagement in Africa! On October 7-8, 2024, @StateCDP, in partnership with @MITRE and the @AtlanticCouncil, hosted the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge. This event brought together 50 talented undergraduates from South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Senegal, Malawi, Ghana, Botswana, and Cameroon. The students participated in a scenario-based exercise and were tasked with creating innovative solutions to a cybersecurity crisis in the maritime sector. The event featured active participation from South African and Kenyan government officials, as well as academics and industry representatives from across the continent, who joined CDP in judging the exercise. The event provided students with opportunities to engage with senior cybersecurity officials, create mentorship opportunities, and gain exposure to cybersecurity policy considerations in incident response. This initiative is a significant step towards our goal of building a robust cybersecurity workforce, #DigitalSolidarity, and fostering a cyber-savvy youth. Kudos to all involved for making this event a success and fostering greater cyber collaboration across Africa! 🌐 #CyberSecurity #Africa #CyberEngagement #CDP #Cyber912

As we reflect on #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth, we celebrate the remarkable progress of the Bahamas’ National CSIRT (CIRT-BS). Through a rigorous seven-month mentorship program led by Carnegie Mellon’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI) and supported by the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP), CIRT-BS has achieved a significant milestone: membership in the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST). As the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean to secure FIRST membership, CIRT-BS has demonstrated its commitment to foundational incident response capabilities and adherence to a set of globally-validated best practices. This achievement signifies a strong dedication to enhancing cyber resilience and standardizing incident response policies. By joining this professional, global community, CIRT-BS not only increases its capability to collaborate with the U.S. Government and other partners but also positions itself as a leader in the Caribbean cybersecurity landscape. This partnership is a great example of how international collaboration and capacity building can create impactful advancements in cybersecurity. Let’s continue to support and recognize efforts like these, which play a crucial role in safeguarding our digital world! #CAM24 #DigitalSolidarity #TechDiplomacy #Cybersecurity

🌍 What does #DigitalSolidarity mean in today’s interconnected world? It's the commitment to work together across borders and sectors to harness technology for global good. Meet Gabriel, a Spanish diplomat serving as a Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellow at the U.S. Department of State. Over the past year, he has been instrumental in advancing tech diplomacy between the U.S. and Spain, exemplifying the spirit of collaboration that defines digital solidarity. Gabriel played a key role in organizing a U.S.-Spain cyber and digital dialogue, where he and his colleagues identified shared priorities—from responding to cyber threats to leveraging AI for positive impact. This fellowship not only allowed him to share his expertise but also provided invaluable insights from American counterparts, fostering a culture of mutual support and innovation. In alignment with the U.S. International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy, Gabriel's work underscores the importance of inclusive partnerships that address complex challenges through shared goals. As we strive for a secure and resilient digital ecosystem, efforts like Gabriel's are crucial in shaping a tech future that benefits everyone. Discover how Gabriel is paving the way for digital solidarity and advancing bilateral tech diplomacy in the full video! 🎥👇