US cyber strategy aims for agility and global tech competitiveness in new cybersecurity blueprint
National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross has offered a detailed preview of the Trump administration’s forthcoming national cybersecurity strategy, presenting it as a streamlined, action-oriented framework aimed at uniting federal cyber efforts and safeguarding American interests in the increasingly contested digital domain. Speaking at the 2025 Meridian Summit in Washington, D.C., Cairncross conveyed a clear shift away from the traditionally bulky and exhaustive policy documents of the past, instead prioritising practical implementation and alignment across agencies.
Explaining the strategy’s approach, Cairncross emphasised that the new framework would not be a lengthy, heavily charted report but rather a concise document designed to establish the United States' stance in cyberspace and outline overarching goals. This intent reflects the broader administration objective to move beyond siloed federal cyber operations towards a cohesive posture that leverages the full spectrum of governmental capabilities.
The White House Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) is leading the strategy’s development in close coordination with major federal partners including the National Security Council, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This collaborative process aims to dismantle the fragmented landscape that has historically impeded a unified federal cybersecurity front. Cairncross articulated a vision wherein ONCD takes on the pivotal role of the government’s primary cyber coordination entity, a move aligned with recommendations from recent policy reviews calling for enhanced authority and resources for the office. According to Cairncross, the United States has traditionally lacked a singular point of cyber coordination and a cohesive White House-led strategy—gaps that this administration is determined to close.
In addition to organisational realignment, Cairncross highlighted the immediate legislative priority of reauthorising the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015, which expired at the end of September 2025. This legislation has provided critical legal frameworks enabling effective cyber threat intelligence sharing between government and private sector stakeholders, alongside offering liability protections crucial for fostering industry cooperation. Cairncross made it clear that the administration views a clean 10-year reauthorisation of CISA as foundational to national cybersecurity, necessary both for improving threat response capabilities and supporting ONCD’s broader mission. He expressed confidence that Congress will recognise the act’s importance and move swiftly to reinstate it.
Industry leaders have responded positively to Cairncross’ coordinated, strategic approach. Jason Oxman, President and CEO of the Information Technology Industry Council, reiterated broad tech sector support for both the director’s vision and urgent CISA reauthorisation, underscoring the ongoing risk posed by foreign adversaries targeting critical infrastructure and digital supply chains. This alignment between government and industry signals a readiness among key stakeholders to back a unified national cyber defence posture.
On the international front, Cairncross has also underscored the need for the United States to counter China's expanding efforts to export surveillance technologies globally. He advocates promoting a "clean American tech stack" as a secure, privacy-respecting alternative, a theme likely to be reflected in the final strategy as part of broader diplomatic and technological competition. This international dimension highlights the administration’s recognition that national cybersecurity is inseparable from global tech standards and geopolitical rivalry.
Cairncross’ background includes leadership roles outside traditional cybersecurity specialisations, having served as CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and as a senior White House advisor during the initial Trump administration. Despite not being a cybersecurity specialist per se, he brings a broad national security perspective and a commitment to forging strong partnerships with industry, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement—an approach he believes is essential given the growing complexity and severity of cyber threats facing the nation.
As the administration nears the official release of this national cybersecurity strategy, homeland security and industry stakeholders should anticipate a framework that is clear, coordinated, and focused on implementable actions rather than dense policy prose. The success of this strategy will largely depend on how effectively ONCD consolidates its role as a central coordinator and on Congressional cooperation to reestablish vital legislative foundations like CISA.
Ultimately, Cairncross’ vision heralds a new phase of strategic alignment in U.S. cybersecurity policy, reflecting a more unified federal effort positioned to respond swiftly to emergent threats and to uphold American interests in a dynamic digital landscape.