European governments are keen to see if Trump will continue US support for Ukraine and NATO in a conflict with Russia that is partly being played out in cyberspace. Fick’s team was instrumental in creating a process to rapidly deliver cyber-defense aid to the damaged Ukrainian government. said, adding that he felt “a deep desire for the United States to remain involved and a recognition that European partners must do their part, in a way, More, Fick heard “a strong desire among many allies and partners” for the US to continue advance with China and Russia in technology and cyber discussions in international bodies like the United Nations and the Group of 20 which is quite broad [globally] that the US must, in its own interests and in the interests of our allies and partners, remain involved in multilateral organizations. alternatives do not reduce the influence of this organization; the alternative is simply a playground for our competitors and our enemies. to visit key allies and partners US-Fick is proud of how his team launched a new bureau in the State Department, grew to about 130 employees, and produced results that he says are transforming digital diplomacy. One of his biggest achievements was the launch of a foreign cyber aid fund that will support programs to distribute security aid to hacked allies, lay new undersea cables, and train foreign diplomats. on cyber issues. The security assistance project saw its initial test in November when Costa Rica faced another major ransomware attack. “We had people on the plane in the morning, Thanksgiving morning, with their hands on the keyboard along with their Costa Rican counterparts at night,” Fick said. “It’s really good. This is a sea change in how we do this, and it will strengthen our hand in providing support to these middle countries. one tech-savvy diplomat for each foreign embassy (around 237 in total) and successfully lobbied to increase digital fluency to the State Department’s criteria for career ambassador positions. He has also helped State balance the Pentagon in White House discussions on foreign technology issues – putting “American diplomacy literally back on the table in the Situation Room on technology topics.” Then there is team support for US cyber aid to Ukraine, from security. software for satellite communications for cloud migration for important government data—work that he says offers a template for future public-private foreign aid partnerships. One Final WarningFick has shared his thoughts on China, 5G, AI, deterrence, and other cyber issues with the transition team Trump, and said there is still work to be done to keep cyber diplomacy “front and center” at State. But as he prepares to leave the administration, he has one key piece of advice for the incoming administration. “It’s important to have a bias for action,” he said. “We end up admiring the problem for too long instead of taking decisive steps to solve it … with rapidly developing technologies and intense geopolitical competition, a large bureaucracy like the State Department sometimes has to do. “The task of leadership in this large organization,” said Fick, “It’s about moving the org to change faster than you would do on your own.”
