Building Resilience in U.S. Cybersecurity

This conversation was part of the 2025 Meridian Summit: Shaping Geopolitical Futures.

Watch

As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, cybersecurity has moved to the center of America’s security strategy. In conversation with Meridian’s Kellee Wicker, Vice President of the Center for Technology, Innovation, and Space, the Honorable Sean Cairncross, United States National Cyber Director, outlined the administration’s vision for strengthening the nation’s cyber posture, emphasizing industry collaboration and global alliances. 

Here are the Top Takeaways from the Program:

1. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ARE INDISPENSIBLE

Effective cyber defense requires a whole-of-government approach; however, government coordination alone is not enough. U.S. critical infrastructure, from energy to transportation to communication and more, is largely owned and operated by the private sector, making those public-private partnerships indispensable to a robust cybersecurity posture. Director Cairncross emphasized the need to work with specific sectors to eliminate friction points in the regulatory environment and align incentive structures, noting a shift away from “a compliance checklist.” He argued that cybersecurity must be elevated from an IT concern to a boardroom priority, calling for CEO-level engagement to ensure that resources and attention are aligned with the scale of the threat. 

2. CISA 2015 REAUTHORIZATION IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ADMIN

Collaboration must be reinforced not only through dialogue but also through policy. Central to this effort is the reauthorization of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015). CISA 2015 promotes greater information sharing by providing liability and antitrust protections to industry. The administration is committed to a ten-year clean reauthorization of CISA 2015, describing it as essential for national security and for building trust between sectors. 

3. CYBERSECURITY IS A GLOBAL CHALLENGE THAT REQUIRES GLOBAL COOPERATION

Cybersecurity extends far beyond national borders. In addition to deepening collaboration across federal agencies and the private sector, strong international partnerships are vital to the success of cybersecurity strategies. Renewed effort is needed to deter adversaries and reshape the global risk calculus for states that engage in cyber aggression, including China, which is of particular concern due to its export of surveillance technologies. Global partnerships are essential to this vision. Through established networks like Five Eyes and emerging alliances around the world, the Office of the National Cyber Director aims to advance a “clean American tech stack” to promote a trusted and transparent digital ecosystem. 

Next Steps:

To tackle these important facets of cybersecurity, the ONCD will roll out a new National Cyber Strategy that will be concise and emphasize practical solutions, regulatory clarity, and global cooperation. While the details are still forthcoming, one thing is certain: strong collaboration between the U.S. government, the private sector, and international partners will be essential to ensure a more secure future.