A new U.S. administration often represents more than just a shift in political leadership—it can be a pivotal turning point for rapidly evolving areas like cybersecurity. With each change of the guard, priorities are redefined, budgets are reshaped, and regulatory landscapes are recalibrated.
Cybersecurity, a critical concern at both federal and commercial levels, is particularly susceptible to these shifts, as administrations can radically alter the trajectory of policy development and compliance requirements. These changes ripple outward, influencing how cybersecurity vendors innovate and how businesses adapt to emerging threats and regulations.
As the Trump administration prepares for its return to the White House in 2025, experts are closely examining how the incoming administration could impact a variety of areas, including the development of cybersecurity technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
Based on what we’ve seen already, new priorities are taking shape, and changes are on the horizon when it comes to national cyber defense, AI innovation, and public-private partnerships. But what will this look like exactly, and what will it mean to cybersecurity leaders?
Here are six trends to look out for:
- National Cyber Defense Focus — One likely priority for the new administration will be a stronger national cyber defense strategy aimed at protecting critical infrastructure against escalating cyber threats. How could this play out? We may see increased funding and support for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and similar entities. Given the recent rise in sophisticated attacks on vital systems and critical infrastructure, bolstering national defenses may be a central theme of the administration's cybersecurity policy.
- Deregulation and Private Sector Responsibility — The incoming administration is signaling a move to deregulation in many areas which could present both a positive and negative impacts. On the plus side, it will provide companies and cybersecurity leaders with more freedom in managing their cybersecurity practices, which would ultimately foster greater innovation and reduce compliance burdens. However, while there are rumblings that the administration may provide incentives to businesses who achieve compliance, new risks will emerge for companies that fail to self-regulate effectively.
- Accelerated AI Development — The administration’s emphasis on deregulation may also stimulate rapid AI development. Prior to the election Goldman Sachs Economics Research projected AI investments will climb to roughly $200 billion globally by 2025, with $100 billion expected to come from the U.S. With expectations that the President-elect will repeal President Biden’s executive order on AI, these figures could grow, especially in technologies that support cybersecurity.
By reducing regulatory barriers, the Administration may encourage the private sector to innovate and advance AI applications in security, such as AI-driven preemptive cyber defense technologies, SecOps, AI-fueled Threat Intelligence and more that will allow businesses to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
- Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships —The administration may pursue enhanced collaboration between government agencies and private firms. By encouraging these partnerships, the government could leverage private-sector innovation to bolster national cyber defenses, creating new opportunities for businesses while introducing additional resources and expertise to protect critical systems.
- Getting Ahead of Rising Ransomware Threats—Many experts anticipate the new administration will step up efforts to stop cyber threats, including ransomware attacks, which have become increasingly sophisticated and common. Once again, it’s likely that private sector firms will play a role, where there will be a growing focus on preemptive approaches that aim to anticipate and neutralize threats, like undetectable ransomware attacks, before they materialize.
- AI-Driven Security Risks—As touched on earlier, we could be on the cusp of a massive explosion in AI adoption. While these innovations will further transform the industry, they will also introduce new security vulnerabilities. According to Gartner’s Avivah Litan, 30% of organizations that have implemented AI have experienced security breaches. This includes data compromised by an internal party, data compromised by an external party, and malicious attacks on AI infrastructure. These incidents underscore the importance of pairing all AI advances with robust preemptive strategies to protect data and systems from AI-related vulnerabilities.
How cybersecurity leaders can prepare for cybersecurity industry shifts
The incoming administration’s approach to cybersecurity and AI may bring substantial shifts in both policy and practice. While the focus on deregulation and national sovereignty could foster rapid technological advancements, it also presents unique challenges and new cyber risk.
Balancing innovation with robust and scalable cybersecurity frameworks and defenses such as preemptive cyber defense will be essential for both the public and private sectors to ensure adaptability to shifting policy and most importantly, the rapidly evolving threat landscape.