Trump & cybersecurity policy: what to expect?
With the start of Trump’s second term, we can expect significant shifts in cybersecurity policies and broader tech-related issues. With a continued emphasis on national security and economic protectionism, the administration is likely to prioritize measures that address emerging cyber threats, secure critical infrastructure, and regulate technology sectors seen as pivotal to U.S. interests. While these expectations don't sound alarming, there's enough cause for concern.
This renewed focus could bring stricter data localization requirements, increased scrutiny of foreign technology investments, and a reshaping of partnerships with international allies on cyber defense. What should we look out for?
Tech issues to watch
According to Cybersecuritydive, these are the four tech issues to watch in Trump’s second term:
1. Cloud market oversight
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ongoing investigation into cloud providers' competitive practices may shift direction. At the same time, recent statements from Tesla CEO Musk have suggested potential leadership changes at the FTC.
2. AI oversight
In October 2023, Biden’s executive order on AI established development guidelines and a government adoption framework. Proposed changes by Trump would focus on "free speech and human flourishing" while removing existing regulatory constraints. This could collide with the final version of the EU AI Act that's being shaped.
3. Cybersecurity policy
Building on Trump’s 2018 national cybersecurity strategy, new policies emphasize critical infrastructure protection and industrial base defense against cyber threats.
4. CHIPS and Science Act
The $33 billion CHIPS Act investment faces review. An alternative approach suggests using tariffs on foreign companies to boost domestic manufacturing, potentially affecting IT component supply chains. This could have repercussions for EU innovation initiatives.
Cybersecurity priorities
From Trump’s first term, it has become apparent that cybersecurity is one of the few areas of government that have strong bipartisan support and cooperation, Forbes wrote. An article lists five areas that will receive priority attention from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) under the new Administration.
These included protecting U.S. critical infrastructure, by identifying 16 critical sectors, prioritizing interagency government cooperation and public-private cooperation through CISA, building on government cyber risk management strategies, by employing security paradigms such as zero trust, defense in depth, and security by design, addressing the emerging technology landscape, and ensuring the cybersecurity of space systems.
A shortfall in cyber funding?
However, other experts are less sure about these priorities, especially following a proposal to eliminate the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: Rand Paul, incoming chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, told Politico that he would like to eliminate or severely limit CISA’s powers over his concerns about its work to counter disinformation.
Although most observers are unconvinced that Paul’s talk will translate into action, not just because of the bipartisan support CISA enjoys in Congress, but also because of its many roles. However, funding for state and local government cybersecurity might be a more pressing concern, says a Government Executive. A current four-year, $1 billion State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program sunsets at the end of next year, and other federal programs may see cuts as Trump looks to slash the federal budget.
Even if states might try and make up some of the shortfalls in cyber funding, many state chief information security officers have said they do not have a reliable budget, staff, or expertise to protect themselves, the article added.
Tech industry meddling
At the same time, significant concerns exist around the meddling of large tech firms and influential figures such as Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Musk, all of whom will attend Trump’s inauguration next week.
While Bezos regularly clashed with Trump over his ownership of The Washington Post during his first term, sentiments seem to have changed as Trump takes office for a second time. Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI CEO Altman have announced $1 million donations to Trump’s inauguration fund.
What’s more, Musk has joined Trump’s administration in a role overseeing a forthcoming advisory board dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency that is looking to find government waste and cut it. He’s also spent time with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort, CNBC highlighted.
A collision course with EU regulators is also possible, where Musk pressures governments and commissioners to grant his companies regulatory breaks, threatening to restrict services to European agencies, businesses, and citizens if authorities do not "comply" with his demands.
Changes and key challenges
The second Trump administration's cybersecurity approach appears set to combine elements of his first term's policies with responses to emerging threats. The emphasis on critical infrastructure protection, domestic technology production, and modified regulatory frameworks suggests a continuing evolution of the U.S. cyber defense strategy.
However, Trump’s second term will cause a huge shift in the tech industry, especially with the announced changes in leadership, the possible lack of funding, and the influence of big tech leaders. In short, we are entering an area where everyone should be on guard at all times.
