Cybersecurity Bills in the US: A Comprehensive Overview
Table of Contents:
- H.R.872: Federal Contractor Cybersecurity
- Cybersecurity Developments Under the Trump Administration
- Reauthorization of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA)
- 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
- Federal Cybersecurity Policy in 2025
- Conclusion
- Future Directions
- FAQ
Cybersecurity Bills in the US: A Comprehensive Overview
Are you concerned about the security of your data? The United States has ramped up efforts to combat cyber threats through new laws and policies. This article explores the major cybersecurity bills and policies in the US, detailing what they seek to accomplish, what impact they have, but also how they fit into the broader picture of cybersecurity.
H.R.872: Federal Contractor Cybersecurity
One recent bill designed to make cybersecurity better is H.R.872, introduced in the 119th Congress. It’s all about changing the rules for how the government buys things, especially when it comes to making sure computer systems are safe from problems for certain federal contractors. The main idea is to make sure contractors that work for the government follow good cybersecurity practices. This can help keep important government information safe from getting hacked.
This highlights how important it is to protect the supply chain, because if the contractors’ systems have weaknesses, it can put national security at serious risk.
Cybersecurity Developments Under the Trump Administration
In March 2025, the Trump Administration put out an Executive Order (EO) called “Achieving Efficiency Through State or Local Preparedness.” This order puts emphasis on how much state and local governments need to be ready for computer attacks but also bad weather. It starts a National Resilience Strategy and asks for a full review of policies about infrastructure, continuity, as well as preparedness so they line up with this strategy. The EO also sets up a National Risk Register to keep track of dangers to the nation’s infrastructure and decide how to spend money.
This shows a move toward spreading out cybersecurity work, relying more on state and local governments to handle problems that are different in each area.
However, this also leads to questions: How will the federal government give money and guidance to these efforts?
Reauthorization of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA)
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) is because of end in 2025, so lawmakers are thinking about renewing it. A bipartisan bill suggests extending CISA for another ten years. This is to keep cooperation going against growing cyber threats.
The extension is essential for keeping information flowing between government groups, but also companies in the private sector. This is important for reacting well to cyber-attacks.
CISA lets the government and companies share information about cyber threats if they want to. This sharing is very important for finding and reducing threats in real-time. It lets groups learn from what others have gone through and put in place better defenses.
2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has several important parts about computers. One big thing is that it requires a review of past times when spyware caused problems. It also requires regular reports to Congress about spyware incidents. It should say what foreign groups were responsible for these incidents.
Besides that, the NDAA tells the National Security Agency (NSA) to start an Artificial Intelligence Security Center. This center will create ways to fight against AI attacks from enemies but also encourage the use of safe AI in national security systems. The center should be up and running within 90 days of the NDAA being signed, next to it may be closed down after three years if the NSA director says so.
Federal Cybersecurity Policy in 2025
The year 2025 is set to be a busy one for federal cyber policy. The new administration plus Republican control of Congress offer chances to push cybersecurity ideas forward. One big change is starting a new national security program that limits transactions with sensitive personal data and government-related data. This plan has categories of transactions that are not allowed or restricted, rules for giving out licenses, along with requirements for keeping records.
This program is designed to protect sensitive data by limiting dealings with countries and groups that are seen as risky. It shows a wider effort to protect U.S. data and stop it from being misused by other countries.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is still a top thing the U.S. government is thinking about. It is putting in effort to make defenses stronger against threats that are changing. Bills like H.R.872 but also the renewal of CISA show how important it is to work together and have good standards in cybersecurity. Actions from leaders like the Trump Administration’s EO on state and local preparedness show how important it is for efforts to be spread out to improve national resilience.
As cyber threats keep growing, the U.S. will likely see more complete laws and policy plans to protect both government and private sector systems. These changes will be very important for keeping sensitive data safe and making sure important infrastructure is not damaged.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, there are several parts that will shape the direction of cybersecurity policy in the US:
- Artificial Intelligence Security – The NSA starting the AI Security Center is a sign that there is increasing thought being given to cybersecurity problems related to AI. As AI becomes more a part of national security systems, it will be very important to create safe AI practices.
- Data Protection – The new national security program that restricts transactions with sensitive data suggests more attention is being paid to protecting U.S. data from misuse by other countries. This pattern is likely to continue, with stricter rules about handling and sharing data.
- State besides Local Involvement – The move toward state and local government getting involved in cybersecurity shows that people realize there are different problems in different areas. This way of doing things may lead to cybersecurity plans that are more custom-made and good at the local level.
To conclude, the world of cybersecurity policy in the US is always moving and changing. As threats keep popping up and changing, policymakers will need to adjust and come up with new ideas to make sure that both government and private sector systems are safe.
FAQ
What does H.R.872 do?
H.R.872 revises rules about acquiring computer systems. It seeks to make sure federal contractors use good cybersecurity measures. This helps protect government data.
Why is CISA important?
CISA allows the voluntary sharing of cyber threat information between the government and private companies. The sharing helps in identifying and mitigating threats quickly.
What is the AI Security Center’s purpose?
The NSA’s AI Security Center will develop defenses against AI attacks from enemies. It will also encourage the safe use of AI in national security systems.
Resources & References:
- https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/872
- https://www.insidegovernmentcontracts.com/2025/04/march-2025-cybersecurity-developments-under-the-trump-administration/
- https://industrialcyber.co/regulation-standards-and-compliance/house-committee-weighs-in-on-reauthorization-of-cybersecurity-information-sharing-act-ahead-of-2025-expiry/
- https://www.wileyconnect.com/federal-cybersecurity-policy-in-2025-what-to-watch-in-changing-times
- https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2024/12/congress-approves-2025-ndaa-important-cyber-provisions/401764/
