Attorney General Holder Joins Cabinet Officials for the U.S. International Strategy for Cyberspace Announcement

The International Strategy is a historic policy document for the 21st Century — one that explains, for audiences at home and abroad, what the U.S. stands for internationally in cyberspace, and how we plan to build prosperity, enhance security, and safeguard openness in our increasingly networked world.

Although we may approach the issue of cyber threats from different perspectives, we are united by our common goals: security, opportunity, openness, and prosperity.  We’re also bound by our shared values – and by our collective concerns.  The 21^st-century threats we now face – to both our national and economic security – have no precedent.  They know no borders.  And they demand – not only our constant attention, but also a comprehensive, collaborative, and well-coordinated response.  In this new age of seamless global commerce and instant communication, we all stand to benefit – but only if the information technology being used to drive social, economic, and political progress is secure.  Unfortunately, for every technological or commercial quantum leap that we have made, criminals – and often entire international criminal syndicates – have kept pace.  Thefts of information that would have been impossible in an ink-and-paper world can now be carried out nearly undetected, from almost anywhere.   Today, in communities worldwide, cybercrime threatens the security of our citizens and the integrity of our markets – discouraging investments and stifling innovation; and – all too often – devastating businesses and individual lives.  If we are to meet the goals and responsibilities that we share – protecting public safety and personal privacy, fostering innovation and creativity, and stimulating economic growth – we need a new, cutting-edge framework for preventing and combating cybercrime.  One that’s nimble enough to fight complex, constantly evolving threats – but also strong enough to ensure that essential freedoms are upheld.  That’s precisely why the new International Strategy for Cyberspace is so important.   Today, with the unveiling of this strategy, we are signaling that – nearly a decade since the approval of the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime – a new era of global collaboration, engagement, and vigilance has begun.