"If you create a [cyber] bureau, you do two things: one is you stovepipe it…Two is you pull the people out of all the bureaus that need to do this," Painter said during a US Senate hearing on cybersecurity.
Separating the cyberspace function, "actually is counterproductive to us making progress in this area," Painter warned, adding that the State Department is trying to integrate cyber issues into every regional and functional bureau.
Specialized cybersecurity outfits have only become a distinct part of the US government in the past 7 years, beginning with the 2009 advent of US Cyber Command, which may be elevated to its own combatant command in 2017.
The US Office of the Cyber Coordinator, coordinated through the Secretary of State, was established in 2011 to address economic issues, human rights impacts, counterterrorism and national security, and other areas.
