Enhanced international cooperation framework in the domain of cybersecurity
The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) has recently released a set of global cybersecurity principles, aiming to modernize and unify cybersecurity policies across the globe. These principles emphasize public-private collaboration, international harmonization, and technology-neutral policy design [1][3][5].
The ITI's principles advocate for leveraging AI to enhance security adaptability and effectiveness against evolving threats. They also encourage developing policies that are technology-neutral, allowing innovation without being constrained by prescriptive technical mandates. Strong public-private partnerships are also emphasized, recognizing that cybersecurity requires shared responsibility among governments, businesses, and other stakeholders [3][5].
Fostering international harmonization is another key aspect of the ITI principles. This aims to reduce policy fragmentation that can undermine cybersecurity efforts and create barriers to global trade and secure digital cooperation. Leopold Wildenauer, the Director of Policy for Cybersecurity and Supply Chain at ITI, emphasizes the need for holistic policymaking and a whole value chain risk assessment to understand the entire landscape [2].
The ITI's framework pushes for coordinated, flexible policies that can keep pace with rapid technological change and complex global cybersecurity threats. This approach addresses the fragmented cybersecurity landscape by promoting a policy roadmap that transcends outdated, siloed approaches [3][5].
The Trump administration has also taken steps in this direction, with the FedRAMP 20x Initiative being one of the initiatives undertaken. The administration has focused on creating efficiencies in cybersecurity, including overhauls and regulatory efficiency efforts [4].
The ITI encourages ongoing engagement with the administration and global governments for further discussions on the report's content. The ITI report serves as a door-opener for conversations with global governments on cybersecurity issues. It is intended for a global audience, not just the United States [1].
Leopold Wildenauer notes that the United States has embraced a partnership-based model in cybersecurity. However, it is not specified how the United States cybersecurity policy and practice stack up against the principles outlined by ITI [2].
The principles aim to close the gap between rapid digital innovation and fragmented cybersecurity policy landscape. They encourage building bridges between different agencies, departments, and stakeholders to ensure coordination and uniformity. The need to engage all stakeholders, establish sound baseline requirements, and facilitate open and secure cross-border data flows is also highlighted [1].
The ITI report on global cybersecurity principles has received positive feedback but is open for continued engagement with the administration and global governments. The principles are structured in three general buckets: core governance themes, conditions for a resilient ecosystem, and technological agility and innovation [1].
References:
[1] Information Technology Industry Council. (2020). ITI Releases Global Cybersecurity Principles. Retrieved from https://www.itic.org/news/iti-releases-global-cybersecurity-principles/
[2] Wildenauer, L. (2020). The Need for Holistic Policymaking in Cybersecurity. Retrieved from https://www.itic.org/blog/the-need-for-holistic-policymaking-in-cybersecurity/
[3] Information Technology Industry Council. (2020). ITI Global Cybersecurity Principles. Retrieved from https://www.itic.org/policy/iti-global-cybersecurity-principles/
[4] Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program. (n.d.). FedRAMP 20x Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.fedramp.gov/program/initiatives/20x/
- The ITI's global cybersecurity principles advocate for the federal workforce to collaborate with private sectors, focusing on technology-neutral policy designs in data-and-cloud-computing that can foster innovation and adaptability, catering to the evolving threats in cybersecurity.
- To achieve a unified global cybersecurity landscape and address the fragmentation issue, the ITI emphasizes the need for workforce reimagined, allowing agencies and stakeholders to coordinate policies, establish sound baseline requirements, and facilitate secure cross-border data flows.
- The Trump administration supports the ITI's vision by pursuing initiatives like the FedRAMP 20x, aiming to modernize cybersecurity within the federal workforce and promote technological agility and innovation.
