Introductory Remarks, Conference on Cyber Security, Institute Jozef Stefan, November 8, 2017
Dober dan. Hvala vam za povabilo.
I’m incredibly pleased that the U.S. Embassy could help support today’s event in partnership with SI-CERT and the Jozef Stefan Institute.
We welcome our developing bilateral cooperation on cyber issues and I only expect this to continue to grow as the U.S. and Slovenia, along with other NATO Allies, EU members, and other like-minded partners grapple with the increasing complexities of this new security environment.
When I started my career as a diplomat in 1981, personal computers were just beginning to be introduced into our offices and homes. No one outside of SciFi circles imagined that we would soon be carrying them in our pockets.
Few of us could have imagined then the advances in technology we would experience in our lifetimes, and the impact these technological improvements have had on our everyday and professional lives.
But while technological innovation has led to incredible opportunities, it also comes with significant risks.
Today’s event, which grapples with the complexities of cyber security and defense, exemplifies how much cyber issues have grown in global importance, particularly over the past few years, and how much work still awaits us in this field. It is truly a full plate – from protecting our private sector and government information technology systems and critical infrastructure to addressing individual security online.
My country’s cyber-related priorities are clear. The United States is committed to working internationally to promote an open, inter-operable, secure, and reliable information and communications infrastructure that supports international trade and commerce, strengthens international security, and fosters free expression and innovation. To achieve that goal, we are working to build and sustain an environment in which norms of responsible behavior guide states’ actions, sustain partnerships, and support the rule of law in cyberspace.
As a side note, I anticipate that at the upcoming OSCE Foreign Ministerial meeting on Dec 7-8, the U.S. delegation to the OSCE will continue to support the elaboration of OSCE Confidence Building Measures on cyber issues, one of the first successful international efforts to explore global norms for cyber space.
The future of global security lies in robust and effective cyber security.
Governments, militaries, the private sector, and each and every one of us as private citizens rely on secure data to do our work and go about our daily lives.
It is critical that states ensure that their government networks and information infrastructure are secure, reliable, and resilient.
Cyber security has become an increasing important priority in NATO and at the NATO Summit in Warsaw in 2016, NATO and the EU agreed to cooperate on cyber security (among other issues).
The U.S. is committed to enhanced cooperation on network defense, incident management and recovery, supporting the development of those capabilities where needed, and raising awareness of the importance and value of cybersecurity around the globe.
In this regard, I have been greatly encouraged by the deepening consultations between the U.S. and SLO as the GoS lays the foundations for its new inter-ministerial cyber security center.
In particular, working through the longstanding relationship between the MOD and the Colorado National Guard, connections have been made with the Colorado state cyber fusion center, led by the civilian state government, and bringing together business, academia and the National Guard to address cyber issues comprehensively and in real time.
The U.S. also stands ready at the federal government level to assist SLO’s new effort upon request.
The future of cyberspace depends on the decisions we make today. We are facing important policy decisions about our fundamental principles in cyberspace, including security, freedom, governance, human rights, and economic growth.
I hope today’s discussion helps to inform some of these decisions.
Srečno pot. Najlepša hvala.
