The Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy Officially Starts Operations

The U.S Department of State announced the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) officially began operations on Monday, April 4, 2022.

According to the U.S. Department, the CDP bureau will focus on key national security challenges, economic opportunities and implications for U.S. values associated with cyberspace, digital technologies and digital policy.

Initially announced in October 2021, the CDP official launch is another sign that the recent tensions with Russia and China may be accelerating cybersecurity initiatives in preparation for foreign cyber threats.

The CDP bureau consists of three primary policy units: the International Cyberspace Security, International Information and Communications Policy and Digital Freedom.

Jennifer Bachus, former deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Prague, was named  Senior Bureau Official and the interim director until a Senate “Ambassador-at-Large” is confirmed.

Other acting leadership announcements include Michele Markoff as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security, Stephen Anderson as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Information and Communications Policy, and Blake Peterson as Acting Digital Freedom Coordinator.

“On cyberspace and emerging technologies, 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,” said Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin. “We want to prevent cyber attacks that put our people, our networks, companies and critical infrastructure at risk.  We want the internet to remain a transformative force for learning, for connection, for economic growth, not a tool of repression.”

The CDP is regarded as a critical piece of Secretary Blinkin’s focus on bolstering foreign and national security through modernization in emerging technologies and cyberspace. With the operational launch in the rearview mirror, Secretary Blinkin is planning to ask for a 50 percent increase in the department’s information technology budget.

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