Trump Administration Criticizes Biden & Obama Cybersecurity Rules

President Trump Revises Cybersecurity Policies

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Friday, initiating changes and a rollback of existing cybersecurity policies. These policies were originally established by the administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Administration's Rationale for Changes

According to a fact sheet released by the White House, the Biden administration’s Executive Order 14144 – signed shortly before the conclusion of his term – was perceived as an attempt to introduce “challenging and diverting concerns” into the realm of cybersecurity policy.

Digital Identity Documents and Public Benefits

Biden’s order had previously advocated for agencies to “evaluate the acceptance of digital identity credentials” when identification is required for public benefit programs. This specific provision has been rescinded by President Trump.

The White House now asserts that this prior approach carries the risk of “extensive exploitation by facilitating unauthorized access to public benefits by individuals who are not legally permitted to receive them.”

Expert Concerns Regarding Digital ID Mandates

Mark Montgomery, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, expressed a differing viewpoint to Politico. He stated that the emphasis on overturning digital ID mandates prioritizes “questionable immigration advantages over established cybersecurity improvements.”

Adjustments to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulations

Concerning AI, President Trump has eliminated Biden’s stipulations regarding the evaluation of AI applications for safeguarding energy infrastructure.

Furthermore, funding for federal research initiatives focused on AI security has been removed, as has the directive for the Pentagon to “employ AI models for cybersecurity purposes.”

Refocusing AI Cybersecurity Strategy

The White House characterizes its actions regarding AI as a redirection of the AI cybersecurity strategy. The new focus is “towards identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, rather than implementing censorship.”

Allies of President Trump in Silicon Valley have consistently voiced concerns about the potential for AI “censorship.”

Changes to Encryption and Software Security

President Trump’s order also removes the requirement for agencies to adopt quantum-resistant encryption “at the earliest opportunity.”

Additionally, the requirement for federal contractors to verify the security of their software has been eliminated. The White House describes these prior requirements as “unproven and onerous software accounting procedures that emphasized adherence to checklists over genuine security investments.”

Reversal of Obama-Era Sanctions Policies

Looking further back, the executive order rescinds Obama’s policies concerning sanctions for cybersecurity attacks targeting the United States.

These sanctions will now only be applicable to “foreign malicious actors.” The White House contends that this change will prevent “improper application against domestic political adversaries” and clarify that “sanctions do not extend to activities related to elections.”