Cyber Ambassador Says Cyber Strategy Must Account for All Tech

The Biden administration recognizes the federal government’s cybersecurity strategy must factor in all emerging technology, including AI, quantum computing, wireless systems, satellites and cable, Nathaniel Fick, State Department ambassador-cyberspace and digital policy, said Monday. In the past, cybersecurity was narrowly defined, Fick said during an Atlantic Council panel discussion with NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly. The administration is focused on an “affirmative” and “inclusive” vision for cybersecurity that “many people can opt into,” said Fick. The administration’s national cybersecurity strategy (see 2303020051) and the State Department’s U.S. International Cyberspace & Digital Policy Strategy support this vision, he said. Davidson said NTIA is focused on tech issues like building out broadband infrastructure, establishing “good internet governance” and strengthening privacy and AI policies, efforts that will inform U.S. cyber policy. President Joe Biden last week reiterated that AI is the “most consequential technology of our time,” said Davidson: It will affect every aspect of the economy and needs responsible development. Easterly said there’s “promise” for using AI-driven language models for detecting cyber threats to critical infrastructure. CISA is expecting to publish related findings soon, she said. AI should be designed with safety in mind at the start, not on the backend, said Easterly.