Press Releases: Joint Statement on U.S.-Argentina Partnership on Cyber Policy
Media Note
Recognizing the benefits and risks of our increasing dependence on networked information systems for the daily functions of our society, the Governments of the United States and Argentina acknowledge the importance of cyber policy cooperation and express our intent to strengthen our engagement on cyber issues bilaterally, regionally, and globally.
In support of our shared goal to promote an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet that fosters innovation and serves as a tool of economic and social development, the United States and Argentina intend to increase our cooperation in the areas of: cybersecurity, cyber defense, international security in cyberspace, and law enforcement responses to cybercrime, and to strengthen our collaboration on cyber issues in relevant international fora.
The United States and Argentina further intend to launch an intergovernmental, bilateral Cyber Policy Working Group to facilitate improved cooperation. This group can serve as a policy-level channel for identifying cyber issues of mutual concern and developing new joint initiatives. It is our shared belief that the establishment of this Working Group will strengthen and help protect the economic and security interests of our respective countries, companies, Internet users, and the global cyber community.
The Working Group’s first meeting will focus on key cybersecurity initiatives including the importance of developing national cyber policy frameworks; the critical role of Computer Emergency Response Teams in protecting networks and managing cyber incidents, information sharing and the protection of critical infrastructure, with an emphasis on public/private cooperation; strengthening the cooperative relationship between our military cyber experts; and ensuring effective and independent investigation and prosecution of cybercrime through cooperative law enforcement efforts such as the Budapest Convention. This group will also provide Foreign Ministry counterparts the opportunity to exchange views on cyber-related events, fora, and policy discussions.
Mr. Christopher Painter, Coordinator for Cyber Issues, U.S. Department of State, will lead the U.S. government interagency delegation that will include other representatives from the Department of State, as well as representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the National Security Council, and the Department of Defense.
Mr. Jose Hirschson, Under Secretary for Technology and Cybersecurity, Argentine Ministry of Modernization, will lead this initiative for the Government of Argentina, partnering with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Security, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.