Citation[]
Executive Office of the President, International Strategy for Cyberspace: Prosperity, Security, and Openness in a Networked World (May 16, 2011) (full-text).
Overview[]
This document marks the first time any administration has attempted to set forth in one document the U.S. government's vision for cyberspace, including goals for defense, diplomacy and international development.
This strategy outlines U.S. engagement with international partners to confront the full array of cyber issues — including cybercrime. According to this strategy, the U.S. Government's core principles are fundamental freedoms, privacy, and the free flow of information while protecting the security of national networks. Rather than imposing a global governance structure, the strategy recommends building international norms of behavior and enhancing interoperability.
The strategy outlines five principles that nations should support, one of which is protection from crime. Under this principle, nations are expected to "identify and prosecute cybercriminals, to ensure laws and practices deny criminals safe havens, and cooperate with international criminal investigations in a timely manner."[1] The strategy also provides a core set of seven policy priorities as well as proposed actions to accomplish each of these priorities. Directly relating to the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime, one overarching policy priority involves extending law enforcement collaboration and rule of law. To accomplish this, the strategy proposes that the United States will
- fully participate in the development of international cybercrime policy
- encourage nations' participation in the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime
- direct cybercrime legislation toward combating illegal activities rather than restricting Internet access, and
- prevent Internet exploitation by terrorists and criminals seeking to plan, finance, or carry out malicious activities.[2]
The strategy addresses cybercrime in the broader context of cybersecurity. Moreover, it primarily discuses how the United States will increase its domestic and multilateral cybercrime fighting capacities.