Tech giants advocate for simplified distribution of cyber protection assistance in international contexts, within the US.
The Strategic Cybersecurity Coalition (SCC), comprising Carahsoft, Dell Technologies, Forescout, Google Cloud, Trellix, and Velos, is advocating for the incorporation of cyber services explicitly into the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) processes. The coalition aims to streamline cybersecurity capabilities within these existing defense sales and financing frameworks, recognizing the increasing importance of cyber capabilities in modern warfare and security cooperation.
The SCC is emphasizing the need to recognize cyber services as a critical component of defense capabilities, included in FMS and FMF to support allied and partner nations in building their cyber defense and resilience. They believe that improving clarity and simplifying regulatory and compliance processes related to cyber technology transfers is essential. Current challenges such as complex U.S. stakeholder involvement, lengthy approval times, and restrictions due to information security classifications like Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) create barriers for foreign partners accessing necessary cyber-related information and hinder procurement and coproduction efforts.
To address these issues, the SCC is advocating for streamlining acquisition, contracting, and oversight processes in FMS to accelerate delivery and integration of cyber services. This aligns with Department of Defense (DoD) recommendations on improving FMS processes by adopting better prioritization tools, revising checklists specifically for cyber requirements, and expanding data analytics tools for transparency and accountability.
The coalition also supports modernizing FMS information technology infrastructure to better support cyber capability transfers and facilitate more efficient cooperation with allies and partners. They believe that encouraging modernization will help enhance interoperability, standardization, and cost-efficiency in allied defense systems.
The U.S. government has struggled to provide rapid cybersecurity support to international allies, a challenge that the SCC aims to address. Former top U.S. cyber diplomat Chris Painter emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity aid during a perceived lack of enthusiasm from the federal government. He believes this initiative is crucial for addressing a critical need and possible shortfall, benefiting both foreign countries and U.S. national security.
The Biden administration has recently created a cyber aid program that includes a rapid-response fund. The SCC aims to advocate for better cybersecurity-focused foreign assistance by the U.S. government, aligning with the administration's efforts to enhance cybersecurity support for allies.
John Bolton, a former national security advisor, advocates for expanding direct commercial contracting authority for cybersecurity and suggests allowing the use of funds like the Special Defense Acquisition Fund and Section 333 for cyber capabilities. He provides an example of the need for faster deployment of cybersecurity solutions, citing military aid programs that can take five years. Bolton aims to reduce the time for secure computers, servers, and cyber training to 12 to 18 months.
The SCC believes that increasing threats require faster deployment of "sustainable, interoperable cybersecurity solutions." They plan to lobby for incorporating cyber services into the FMS and FMF processes and emphasize the importance of policy and procedural reforms that formalize and facilitate the incorporation of cyber services into foreign military sales and financing mechanisms. This involves both regulatory easing and process improvements to ensure cyber technologies can be transferred to and used effectively by U.S. allies and partners.
The security of the United States is intrinsically linked to the cybersecurity posture of its neighbors, as malicious actors can exploit vulnerabilities in partner countries to target U.S. interests. The Trump administration's pause in foreign assistance has impeded progress in cyber aid programs, but the SCC's initiative aims to address these challenges and strengthen the cybersecurity posture of U.S. allies.
- The SCC is advocating for the incorporation of cyber services into Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) processes, as they believe that improving clarity and simplifying regulatory and compliance processes related to cyber technology transfers is essential for supporting allied and partner nations in building their cyber defense and resilience.
- The SCC plans to lobby for incorporating cyber services into the FMS and FMF processes and emphasize the importance of policy and procedural reforms that formalize and facilitate the incorporation of cyber services into foreign military sales and financing mechanisms, with the goal of increasing threats requiring faster deployment of sustainable, interoperable cybersecurity solutions.
