The escalating and constant digital threats from state-sponsored adversaries like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia coincide with a fractured global governance and a shifting domestic policy landscape. This moment presents a unique opportunity for the administration to continue to set the tone as a global leader in cyber threat deterrence. Public and private collaboration can help with this effort.

By collaborating, we can address the fragmented approaches to cybersecurity within the U.S. government, help defenders navigating the maze of competing regulation, and clarify among industry stakeholders about jurisdictional responsibilities as well as regulatory priorities which currently dilute efforts to combat malicious actors effectively.

The private sector’s adaptability to change is beneficial for national security agencies in quickly responding to new threats. Criminals have rapidly embraced the digital world, often outpacing authorities who may struggle with limited funding and resources. Their ability to work across jurisdictions and quickly turn challenges to their advantage, as seen in recent geopolitical crises, highlights the need for a strategic shift in focus toward criminal behavior rather than specific types of crime. By taking advantage of private-sector capabilities, national security agencies can access the data and tools to monitor patterns, become more adaptable, and be better equipped to address these evolving threats. We can do this with privacy top-of-mind.

Risks remain high for infrastructure attacks and financial stability threats, and even organizations with robust security measures are not immune to the domino effect of supply chain vulnerabilities. More than ever, partnering with the private sector is key. Sharing methodologies such as cybersecurity risk scores and analytics as well as frontline offensive tactics can help government maneuver threatening environments and detect potential issues in their supply chains.

The Trump administration is driving progress by streamlining governance and harmonizing efforts across federal agencies. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem affirmed that “the Trump team would continue to push companies to develop more secure technology while reducing regulatory and information-sharing burdens on the private sector.”

Complementing this approach would be a more cohesive framework for sector risk management agencies — such as those overseeing energy, water, transportation and health care — which will provide clarity and reduce redundancy. By simplifying regulations, organizations will be empowered to focus resources on meaningful security measures rather than bureaucratic compliance.

At the international level, a unified U.S. approach to global cybersecurity regulation will be critical. Inconsistent standards among allies and partners create exploitable gaps in defenses. Gaps such as defense capabilities, cyber vulnerabilities and supply chain weaknesses remind us that in the digital age — cybersecurity is a shared concern.

Yet, by championing global harmonization, the Trump administration has a unique opportunity to redefine America’s role as the world’s global cybersecurity leader while strengthening our collective security and advancing U.S. leadership in cybersecurity policymaking. By sharpening the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA’s) focus, harmonizing governance efforts, and addressing digital supply chain vulnerabilities, the administration can lay the groundwork for a more resilient and secure future.

In this hyper-connected era, our agencies are keenly aware that protecting and securing the homeland and cyberspace also means being vigilant of our cyber infrastructure. The threat environment to our homeland through cyberspace now changes by the nanosecond, and we must keep up. Every day, the Department of Homeland Security works with government, industry, and international partners to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber intrusions. CISA proactively addresses a rapidly evolving cyber threat environment and helps thwart cyber-attacks from foreign adversaries and cyber criminals.

Their factsheets, advisories and alerts reflect how attacks continue to grow in frequency, scope, and severity, as demonstrated by the recent cyber espionage campaign by the People’s Republic of China (PRCs) advanced persistent threat (APT) group known as Salt Typhoon, which resulted in the compromise of numerous IT environments in various critical sectors, including communications, energy, transportation systems, and water and wastewater systems. These attacks are intended to pre-position capabilities to disrupt critical functions during future geopolitical tensions. Salt Typhoon demonstrates how China has the capability and intent to infiltrate and potentially disrupt critical systems within the United States incessantly.

This moment demands more than defense — it calls for comprehensive focus. To combat malicious cyber-attacks on American sovereignty and increasingly aggressive intrusions into our homeland and our interests, a reimagined cybersecurity strategy has the potential to protect critical infrastructure while reinforcing America’s position as the global standard-bearer in the face of mounting digital threats.