Cyberspace impacts almost all aspects of everyday life, from national security and social media to financial markets and international trade. New digital technologies are driving economic growth while others are providing avenues for illicit trade. The rules on how cyberspace is governed and who is responsible for its maintenance and operation are still being written. Some states are stamping their control over the digital world within their borders and others are using cyberspace to exert influence overseas. As open conflict in cyberspace increasingly becomes a possibility, there is an even greater need to create norms that will help underwrite stability.

Chris Painter, former US State Department Coordinator for Cyber Issues and White House Senior Director for Cybersecurity Policy, outlined the cybersecurity issues that the United States and Australia are facing and how both nations can work together to help forge a more stable digital world.

Chris Painter was in Australia as the inaugural distinguished fellow at ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre (ICPC). Chris’s visit was made possible thanks to the generous support of DFAT’s Cyber Affairs Special Visits Program, Macquarie Telecom Group and ICPC core sponsors.