Cyber security is now “a policy imperative” for the United States

A senior US official said that cyber security is now a top diplomatic priority for the United States and Washington as the government looks to build better relationship while properly addressing information theft and, thus, reducing the risk of conflicts.

Christopher Painter, Stated Department coordinator for cyber issues, said that the United States suffered a number of potential threats in cyberspace from freelance hackers to militants and potentially rival states. Diplomacy and policy was only just beginning to catch up with technology, he said.

"It is clear that cyber security is now a policy imperative," he told Reuters late on Wednesday on the sidelines of a conference by the East-West Institute, a think tank.

"It goes across governance issues, economic issues, military issues. The best course of action is to engage with countries and have a free and frank discussion. We're just at the beginning of this."