Federal government under Trump's leadership emphasizes 'Zero Trust 2.0' and enhancing cybersecurity productivity.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is spearheading a new phase in federal cybersecurity with the development of "Zero Trust 2.0." This updated strategy aims to enhance the original zero trust model, addressing emerging threats more effectively and incorporating advanced technologies.
Nick Polk, the branch director for federal cybersecurity at the OMB, has confirmed that the strategy is underway. Polk emphasised the need for efficiency and rationalisation in cybersecurity investments, suggesting that Zero Trust 2.0 will streamline security protocols and decision-making processes, ensuring agencies can respond swiftly to threats without bureaucratic hindrances.
The initial zero trust strategy was introduced by the Biden administration in January 2022. Since then, the OMB has been working diligently to refine the approach. According to Polk, some officials had initially conflated the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) System Security Documentation Framework (SSDF) with software security in general. This oversight is likely to be addressed in Zero Trust 2.0.
One of the key focuses of Zero Trust 2.0 is likely to be advanced threat detection. By integrating AI and machine learning, the strategy aims to improve real-time threat detection capabilities, enabling more efficient identification and response to complex threats.
Another potential area of focus is cybersecurity investments. By focusing on precision and effectiveness, Zero Trust 2.0 seeks to optimise resources, reduce redundant investments, and ensure that all security measures are aligned with the latest threat landscapes.
The OMB is also working on new post-quantum cryptography guidance, following NIST's finalisation of an initial batch of post-quantum cryptography standards last August. This guidance will ensure that the proper people, including the chief acquisition officer, are involved in the migration process within each agency.
On the civilian side of government, officials are taking a tailored approach to software security requirements. They aim to differentiate between software that requires intensive security assurance and software that does not.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department is examining new security processes under its "Software Fast Track," or SWFT, initiative. This initiative looks at how services and defense agencies could adopt a new security approach involving Software Bills of Material (SBOMs) and continuous monitoring.
The American Drone Security Act, which prohibits the federal government from buying or funding the purchase of drones made by "covered foreign entities," particularly those connected to China, is also influencing OMB's efforts. The OMB will issue guidance to agencies on the procurement, use, and security of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a result of this Act.
For precise details on how Zero Trust 2.0 improves efficiency in cyber investments, further information or official announcements from the White House would be necessary. However, it is clear that the updated strategy is set to bring significant changes to federal cybersecurity, with a focus on advanced technologies, efficiency, and tailored approaches to security challenges.
Zero Trust 2.0, the updated federal cybersecurity strategy by the OMB, is expected to incorporate advanced technologies like AI and machine learning for improved data-and-cloud-computing security, particularly in the area of advanced threat detection. Furthermore, the strategy aims to optimize resources and technology investments in cybersecurity with a focus on precision, effectiveness, and eliminating redundancies, demonstrating a commitment to the advancement of cybersecurity and technology within the federal government.
