Cyber diplomacy:The Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy’s efforts to advance U.S. interests

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visit the newly inaugurated Cyberspace and Digital Policy Bureau on April 4, 2022. (State Department photo by Ron Przysucha)

Apr 30, 2025

The Department of State leads U.S. government international cyber diplomacy efforts to advance U.S. interests in cyberspace. To help achieve those objectives, State established the Bureau of Cybersecurity and Digital Policy (CDP) in April 2022. In doing so, State addressed GAO’s recommendations to involve federal stakeholders and use data and evidence in planning for the bureau. State created the bureau to elevate cyberspace as an organizing concept for U.S. diplomacy by consolidating efforts and leadership of cyber-related activities into a single unit. CDP’s cyber diplomacy strategic objectives include building coalitions, strengthening capacity, and reinforcing norms.

In 2024, GAO reported that State conducts a range of diplomatic and foreign assistance activities aligned with U.S. cyber objectives. For example, State works to build coalitions of countries that share U.S. strategic objectives to (1) counter threats to the U.S. digital ecosystem and (2) reinforce global norms of responsible state behavior. CDP leads or coordinates many of these activities for State. For example, CDP rallies countries that share U.S. goals to coordinate policies that advance an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure internet. CDP also facilitates bilateral diplomacy efforts through activities such as interagency whole-of-government cyber dialogues, which involve communication with partner nations.

GAO also reported that CDP faced ongoing organizational challenges, including clarifying roles, hiring staff, and ensuring it had the expertise needed to carry out its goals. Although cyber responsibilities are defined under the new structure, roles remain deliberately shared across government, making clarification an ongoing challenge. CDP was also working to clarify State’s role in the interagency process and maintain its lead in cyber diplomacy. CDP officials noted that defining roles across overlapping issues and sustaining internal communication and visibility remain key challenges, especially given the broad scope of cyber issues. Ensuring the bureau has trained staff to carry out its goals may also be a challenge. State must effectively navigate these challenges for CDP to achieve its stated goals.