Secretary of State Mike Pompeo approved the establishment of the Bureau of Cyberspace Security and Emerging Technologies (CSET) within the Department of State on Thursday to lead diplomatic efforts to deflect cyberattacks from foreign countries.
According to the statement, the goal of CSET is to “lead U.S. government diplomatic efforts on a wide range of international cyberspace security and emerging technology policy issues that affect U.S. foreign policy and national security.” The department notified Congress of its intent to create CSET in June 2019.
“The need to reorganize and resource America’s cyberspace and emerging technology security diplomacy through the creation of CSET is critical, as the challenges to U.S. national security presented by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and other cyber and emerging technology competitors and adversaries have only increased since the Department notified Congress in June 2019 of its intent to create CSET,” the statement said.
However, the idea to create a cyber bureau at the State Department dates back even further.
In January 2019, House members introduced a bill to create an Office on International Cyberspace Policy, led by an ambassador for cyberspace.
Pompeo’s decision to approve the new cyber bureau will allow the Department to move forward with establishing CSET and collaborate with partners and allies on pressing national security issues.
