Nathaniel Fick, nominee for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy’s first-ever Ambassador at Large. Source: Department of State via State Newswire

President Biden’s nominee for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy’s first-ever Ambassador at Large, Nathaniel Fick, testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday.

The bureau, which falls under the Department of State, was established by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in April. It aims to promote responsible state behavior in cyberspace and advance policies that protect the integrity and security of the infrastructure of the Internet, serve U.S. interests, promote competitiveness, and uphold democratic values, according to a bureau statement. 

In his testimony, Fick expressed that his professional background makes him an ideal candidate for the position. He previously served as a Marine Corps infantry officer, was part of the  leadership of the Center for a New American Security, and built and led a cybersecurity software company.

If appointed to the new role, the former Marine pledged to partner with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Congress to “further alleviate and integrate cyber and digital policy in U.S. diplomacy — and diplomacy in U.S. cyber and digital policy,” Fick said.

Those following the hearing attested that Fick would bring more cyber talent to the federal government and prove public-private coordination is vital for the bureau’s success.

There are approximately 600,000 vacant roles in cybersecurity, “and [Fick’s] appointment offers further proof that public-private coordination is vital to modernizing federal agencies’ cybersecurity programs,” wrote Tom Kennedy, Vice President of Axonius Federal Systems via email.

“Because the majority of Mr. Fick’s prior experience comes from the private sector, he is in a unique position to bring more commercial best practices into the federal government, a necessary step in more quickly and accurately meeting security requirements and accelerating incident response investigations,” continued Kennedy. “If Mr. Fick manages to influence more agency-to-agency best practice sharing, it will pay off immensely.”

Fick’s agenda detailed three key areas that, if confirmed, he will make headway in the committee and Congress as a whole — the adherence to responsible state behavior, promoting the global digital economy and championing a positive vision for digital freedom and inclusion.

“To reduce the frequency and severity of damaging cyber incidents, we must collaborate across the U.S. government and with partners around the world to deter malicious cyber activity and impose meaningful consequences on states that engage in it and those that willfully harbor cybercriminal organizations,” Fick said.

Biden nominated Fick on June 7, and his confirmation status is pending a decision as of Wednesday’s hearing.