In what way is the term “cyber” distinct from anything digital? And how should we think about the role of the state in “cyber”? This paper puts forward a provisional definition for “cyber”, and proceeds to analyze the three distinct roles the state plays in the cybernetic domain: user, superuser and regulator. It then proceeds to focus on one role – the regulator – and outlines the different axes through which cyber may be regulated. Each axis raises its own challenges (within a given jurisdiction as well as transnationally), but offers some opportunities. The paper concludes with highlighting the importance of maintaining alignment between these axes, in order to avoid unintended interference.