The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled an International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy on Monday, outlining the Biden administration's plan to engage the global community on various technological security issues.
Blinken introduced this robust international cyber strategy while delivering a keynote at the RSA cybersecurity conference in San Francisco.
The strategic blueprint outlined in the latest strategy displayed the federal government's multifaceted approach to engaging the global community on a wide array of technological security issues, aiming to foster collaboration and cooperation among allies, partners and stakeholders worldwide.
What’s at the Core of the International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy
At the heart of the plan lies the concept of "digital solidarity," characterized by mutual assistance to victims of malicious cyber activity and other digital harms. Digital solidarity entails collaborating on shared goals, capacity building, and mutual support to enhance security, resilience, self-determination, and prosperity. Against the backdrop of ongoing cyberattacks targeting U.S. allies by foreign actors like Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, efforts focus on supporting allies and partners, particularly emerging economies, in harnessing the benefits of digital technologies while sustaining economic and development objectives. The strategy emphasizes alignment with international partners on technology governance, fostering strong partnerships with civil society and the private sector, and promoting cybersecurity resilience through diverse products and services from trusted technology vendors. Moreover, it underscores cooperative efforts to defend and advance human rights and build digital and cyber capacity for long-term resilience and responsiveness. The Department of State, in collaboration with other federal agencies, will advance digital solidarity through four key areas of action supported by three guiding principles:- Promoting an open, inclusive, secure, and resilient digital ecosystem.
- Aligning rights-respecting approaches to digital and data governance with international partners.
- Advancing responsible state behavior in cyberspace and countering threats through coalition-building and engagement.
- Strengthening international partner digital and cyber capacity.