Trump Destroys America’s Cybersecurity Agenda

Over the past week, President Donald Trump repealed former President Joe Biden’s AI-focused executive order, issued in October 2023. The order had mandated that developers of advanced AI submit safety reports to the federal government. It also outlined plans for setting standards, revising procurement processes, and establishing the U.S. AI Safety Institute.

The new Trump administration also terminated all existing members of advisory committees that report to the Department of Homeland Security which includes members of CISA’s Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) in alignment with DHS’s “commitment to eliminating the ‘misuse of resources and ensuring that DHS activities prioritize our national security.”

The CSRB’s purpose has been to examine and assess cyber incidents and construct recommendations for improved security within private and public sectors, providing advise to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the President. At the time of dismissal, the board was apparently deep in the investigation of the Salt Typhoon hacking incident, the Chinese hacking campaign that penetrated telecommunications companies, spying on the calls and messages of US citizens.

Other advisory boards that have been dismantled include the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board, Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council, National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, National Infrastructure Advisory Council, and the USSS Cyber Investigations Advisory Board.

Dismissed members are welcome to submit reapplications for their posts.

Willy Leichter, CMO, AppSOC

  “As the Trump administration continues to throw wrenches into anything the Biden administration championed, there will inevitably be negative repercussions. This will delay or eliminate any proactive role for the US government in guiding AI technology. While you can argue that the private sector should drive this, the government has a legitimate role in issues around privacy and security. Gutting expertise and funding from federal agencies will inevitably put critical infrastructure, cyber security, and individual privacy at risk.”

Trump is putting the nation at risk. And this will come back to haunt the US sooner rather than later. There’s simply no other way to say it. You might want to remember that in four years time.

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