Security News > 2021 > January > U.S. Department of State Approves New Cyberspace Security Bureau
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week approved the creation of the Bureau of Cyberspace Security and Emerging Technologies.
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are considered by the United States threats to its national security, along with "Other cyber and emerging technology competitors and adversaries," the Department of State points out.
Some of the international cyberspace security and emerging technology policy issues CSET will be in charge of include "Securing cyberspace and critical technologies, reducing the likelihood of cyber conflict, and prevailing in strategic cyber competition," the Department of State says.
In September 2020, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report underlining that the Department of State did not involve relevant federal agencies in its effort to establish the CSET Bureau, especially since these agencies too are involved in cyber-security.
In its response to GAO's findings, the Department of State argued that these agencies did not consult it when reorganizing their cybersecurity capabilities.
The State Department said it did consult with congressional oversight committees.