In August 2014, Dr. Norbert Riedel was appointed Commissioner for International Cyber Policy at the Federal Foreign Office.
Protecting cyber space while at the same time ensuring freedom of the Internet has become a central challenge at the international level. A balance has to be found between the conflicting demands of freedom, security and economic considerations. By appointing Dr. Riedel, the Federal Foreign Office is acknowledging the increasing importance of this cross-cutting issue. Dr. Riedel is a highly experienced diplomat and jurist. From 2010 to 2014, he represented the Federal Republic of Germany as Minister and Permanent Representative in Beijing. Previously, he was Director for Central Services and Head of the Personnel Division at the Federal Foreign Office. Furthermore, he worked as Head of the European Union Division at the Federal Chancellery and at the German Embassies in Lisbon and Sofia.
Dr. Norbert Riedel is married and has 2 children. He studied law and graduated as a Doctor of Laws in 1989. Since 2005 he has held an honorary professorship at the University of Würzburg.