Today states are under significant pressure to develop and maintain capabilities for defending the nation in cyberspace; maintaining appropriate intelligence capabilities; enforcing criminal law; and reducing risk in its critical infrastructures and its broader economy.

As a result, the need for diplomatic dialogue among nations has reached a critical juncture. Developing a global understanding of cybersecurity priorities is essential to the long-term stability and security of cyberspace, and requires collaboration among governments. Microsoft has observed five important principles that should underlie international discussions of cybersecurity norms:

• Harmonization;
• Risk reduction;
• Transparency;
• Proportionality; and
• Collaboration.

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