In the wake of White House sanctions against Russia for its interference in U.S. elections, the House of Representatives has again passed the Cyber Diplomacy Act. If enacted, the bill would create a Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy at the State Department, which would be tasked with creating international norms for cybersecurity and be led by an ambassador with the same rank and status as an assistant secretary of state. The bill is intended to help provide a whole-of-government response to major cyber incidents, and give the White House a non-military approach to setting cyber boundaries with adversaries.
Sources:
- CyberScoop: House Green Lights New State Department Cyber Bureau
- Federal News Network: State Department Cyber Diplomacy Bill Seeks to Fill ‘Missing Piece’ in Interagency Defense
- Federal Computer Week: Days After Sanctions, House to Vote Again on Cyber Diplomacy Act