New Bureau at State to Prioritize National Security in Cyberspace, Emerging Technologies
National security in the cyberspace domain is the top priority of the State Department's newly established Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP). The new CDB began operations on April 4, 2022. According to Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin, the bureau will reorient U.S. foreign and domestic security policy by incorporating emerging technologies.
The CDP duties include reducing the threat of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure; ensuring secure access to the internet; establishing standards for emerging technologies that encourage collaborative efforts; and promoting democratic principles by fighting repression and disinformation.
“We have a major stake in shaping the digital revolution that’s happening around us and making sure that it serves our people, protects our interests, boosts our competitiveness and upholds our values,” Secretary Blinkin stated, “All of this is work for American diplomacy.”
A Senate-confirmed Ambassador-at-Large will oversee the office. Jennifer Bachus—previously the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic—is serving as CDP’s inaugural Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary until the Ambassador-at-Large is confirmed.
Three policy offices will operate under the CDP, including International Cyberspace Security, International Information and Communications Policy, and Digital Freedom. Michele Markoff will lead the International Cyberspace Security office as the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary and Stephen Anderson will serve in the same position for the International Information and Communications Policy office. As for the Digital Freedom Unit, Blake Peterson is serving as Acting Coordinator.
Among the office's agenda items is modernizing the State Department as a whole. According to Secretary Blinkin, an increase in the department's information technology budget by 50 percent and to implement a sophisticated data strategy to build an effective technological environment.
Meanwhile, Congress has continued to push for an expedited modernization process. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations advanced the Commission on Reform and Modernization of the Department of State for the 21st Century Act (S. 3491) to restructure the department and assess its workforce.
Congressional leadership would appoint commission members, along with the leadership of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees.