The annual U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has been praised for making “meaningful” advancements in cybersecurity. The Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) stated that once the $886 billion defense spending bill becomes law, nearly 70% of the commission’s recommendations will have been followed. Key measures include a pilot program for a Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve and improving the cyber resilience of nuclear command and control systems. The NDAA also establishes a pilot program to test the cyber resiliency of military installations and increases military cybersecurity cooperation with Taiwan. The commission also stated that the NDAA initiates a continuity of the economy plan in the event of a destructive cyberattack.
The CSC was established to develop “a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace against cyberattacks of significant consequences.” The commission made over 80 recommendations, warning that digital connectivity presented a strategic dilemma for the U.S. Following this year’s defense bill, 58 of the commission’s 82 recommendations will have been legislated.