Events,
Government,
Industry Specific
‘Cyberdefense in Focus: U.S. Strategies Unveiled by Homeland Security Secretary’ at RSAC 2025
In her keynote address at the RSAC Conference in San Francisco, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed the Trump administration’s commitment to combat cybercrime through international partnerships. Her remarks, delivered on April 29, highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance America’s cyberdefense capabilities.
Noem emphasized the critical linkage between cybersecurity and national security, noting that the administration’s first 100 days included significant funding and staffing challenges for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The administration has directed an internal review into previous CISA leadership actions, including the handling of misinformation around the 2020 election, while seeking enhanced strategies to counter foreign influence operations.
Detailing her vision for future cyberdefense strategies, Noem called for increased collaboration with the technology sector. She stated, “The government expects to see products designed for security from the outset, without incurring additional costs.” This call for “secure by design” principles underscores her pledge to utilize federal purchasing power to enforce cybersecurity standards across the industry.
Continuing to address nation-state threats, Noem mentioned the necessity of breaking down existing barriers between various intelligence agencies. She referred to significant cyberespionage incidents attributed to state actors, specifying malicious operations named Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon targeting U.S. critical infrastructure.
Noem’s administration has faced scrutiny over the dissolution of specific advisory boards related to cybersecurity but assured attendees that the Trump administration would adopt a more responsive approach moving forward. She asserted the importance of fostering public-private partnerships to hold malign actors accountable and enhance overall cybersecurity resilience.
On January 25, 2025, Noem was confirmed as secretary of Homeland Security, following a six-year tenure as governor of South Dakota, during which she notably rejected federal cybersecurity grants. At the RSAC event, she dismissed criticisms of previous policy directions and highlighted the administration’s commitment to refocusing CISA on its core missions, such as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and enhancing guidance for state and local governments.
Notably, while she avoided discussing election security—a critical concern post-2020—Noem acknowledged criticisms surrounding CISA’s former focus on disinformation efforts. She reiterated her commitment to ensuring CISA concentrates on essential cybersecurity tasks, thereby effectively safeguarding U.S. interests against critical threats.
As the administration ramps up its cybersecurity initiatives, it will look towards evolving the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, which aims to improve communication between governmental and non-governmental entities. This ongoing dialogue is crucial for refining cybersecurity strategies and enhancing threat intelligence sharing.
Noem concluded her remarks by urging the cybersecurity community to provide feedback on how to better align government efforts with industry needs and streamline current operational approaches to enhance cybersecurity responses across all sectors.
