Obama unveils new global strategy to enhance security, freedom in cyberspace

The Obama administration on Monday unveiled an international strategy for cyberspace that stresses to promote a secure, open Internet and other critical computer networks.

The strategy says that the United States will work internationally to develop norms for “responsible state behavior” in cyberspace which will guide state's actions, sustain partnerships, and support the rule of law in cyberspace.

Stressing on Internet freedom, the new plan also seeks non-Americans too to freely communicate and express their views online.

The release of the strategy follows the U.S. decision last summer to change its position on cyber security, agreeing to work with other nations to reduce threats to computer networks.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that other nations must agree on acceptable norms for cyberspace by acknowledging that the Internet can be a tool used by governments to crack down on dissidents or by criminals to steal data.

Our focus on internet freedom describes that we are supporting the efforts of human rights and democracy activists to ensure that they have access to an open internet, Clinton said.

Clinton said the U.S. will reach out to other nations to set voluntary standards for prosecuting cyber criminals, securing networks, and pursuing terrorists who use cyberspace to plan attacks and to coordinate with these efforts. We’ve created the new Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues, she added.