Letter to the Hon. Mike Pompeo, Secretary of the Dept. of State - Himes Calls on State Department to Advance International Cyber Norms

Letter

Dear Secretary Pompeo:

Today, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released Volume 3 of their bipartisan report Russian Active Measures Campaign and Interference: US Government Response to Russian Activities. One of the recommendations in the report underlines a position that I have been advocating for years, "the U.S. (must) exert its leadership in creating international cyber norms." I write to urge you to promote U.S. leadership in establishing comprehensive international principals of conduct in cyberspace. I would welcome the chance to work with you on specific initiatives to advance this goal.

The United Nations currently has two separate and competing resolutions that will establish the rules on actions in cyberspace. We have an opportunity to assure that this process serves the United States' national security interests. Our lack of leadership in this space risks allowing the rules of cyber engagement to be written by hostile foreign actors. International agreement on any matter, particularly with our geopolitical rivals, is difficult, and the United States must demonstrate leadership in these efforts.

An international cyber agreement won't stop all cyberwarfare and bad behavior, especially given the proliferation of offensive cyber tools and commodification of these capabilities. It is in our best interest, however, to establish comprehensive, official norms for cyberspace. I look forward to working with you and urge you to forge further ahead with the world's first E-Neva Convention.

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