Published on Tuesday, April 9, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Nathaniel C. Fick, U.S. Ambassador at Large for the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, is arriving in Costa Rica on Tuesday to meet with President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles.

According to the U.S. Embassy, Fick's agenda includes attending the Regional 5G Workshop, a two-day event that will exchange best practices in trusted technologies, supply chains, and secure telecommunications.  He will discuss technology ecosystem security.

Ambassador Fick will also meet with Costa Rican government officials and technology sector executives from participating nations, according to the embassy's release.

5G, the fifth generation of wireless technology, is paving the way for new capabilities, including supporting connectivity for applications like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, remote healthcare, and other mutual priority areas.  "With increased connectivity comes increased risks and the Regional 5G Workshop is an opportunity to reinforce regional cooperation, and for participants to learn about financing, partnership, and development opportunities," authorities added.

This is Fick's second visit in less than a year.  In June 2023, he met with President Chaves to address important issues including connection, cybersecurity, and digital freedom.

Last year, Fick hosted an interview with President Chaves at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, USA. They discussed Costa Rica's aims for the expansion and development of its cyber and digital infrastructure.

Ambassador Fick is a former United States Marine Corps officer.

He was the CEO of cybersecurity software company Endgame, Inc., then worked for Elastic NV after it acquired Endgame. He was an Operating Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners.

In 2022, he was selected to lead the U.S. State Department's Bureau for Cyberspace and Digital Policy.

According to a CNN journal report, in February 2023 Fick announced that his personal Twitter account had been hacked. He called the incident one of the "perils of the job." It was unclear who hacked the account or if any unauthorized tweets were being sent from the account.

Fick is one of many top key U.S. executives visiting Costa Rica this year.  Last week, Special Representative for Global Partnerships of the U.S. Department of State, Dorothy McAuliffe, visited Costa Rica to launch the Coalition for Climate Entrepreneurship (CCE).

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What other U.S. government executives should visit Costa Rica?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com