Cybersecurity Policy Report, Groups Seek Support for NIST’s Cyber Work Amidst Federal Cuts, (Mar 7, 2025)
Organizations Mentioned:Telecommunications Industry Association
The National Institute of Standards and Technology needs adequate funding and personnel to continue its valuable work on cybersecurity and privacy, according to a letter sent by eight industry groups to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
“With escalating cybersecurity activity—particularly from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which continues to actively target U.S. critical infrastructure—it is imperative that we safeguard our nation’s ability to counter these advanced persistent threats,” the groups told Mr. Lutnick.
“In addition, we must push back against burdensome international regulatory approaches to cybersecurity, which hamper innovation and undermine U.S. competitiveness. NIST’s work is critical to meeting both of these objectives,” they said.
“Among NIST’s most impactful resources is the Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 (CSF), which helps organizations assess, prioritize, and communicate their cybersecurity efforts without prescribing specific controls. Instead, it connects users to additional resources that provide guidance on best practices to tailor to their specific risk environment,” they noted.
“Other key NIST initiatives include the Privacy Framework, the Risk Management Framework, and the NICE [National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education] Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity, all of which contribute to strengthening cybersecurity resilience across sectors,” they said.
“Furthermore, NIST’s leadership on post-quantum cryptography is crucial for national security and forms the foundation to protect against future threats,” they added.
“In an era of growing cyber threats and evolving technological challenges, NIST’s work is more critical than ever. As the government seeks to cut costs and improve efficiency, it is essential to safeguard the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission—one that directly impacts national security,” the groups told Mr. Lutnick.
“NIST’s personnel are highly effective and respected within industry, bringing invaluable expertise to the development of cybersecurity standards and research,” they said.
“Without sustained funding, the agency risks losing its top talent, which would put its ability to provide essential cybersecurity guidance, research, and standards at risk. We urge you to prioritize NIST’s budgetary support and empower its employees to continue its mission,” they said.
The letter was signed by the Better Identity Coalition, the Coalition to Reduce Cyber Risk, the Cyber Risk Institute, the Cyber Threat Alliance, the Cyberspace Solarium Commission 2.0, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Partner Nation Cybersecurity Coalition, and the Telecommunications Industry Association.
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