The White House announced President Donald Trump had signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum to help the National Security Systems modernize in order to meet the cyber challenges of 2026 and beyond.
According to the White House, the memorandum outlines a clear structure, as well as authorities, roles and responsibilities for the governance of NSS and accountability to NSS cybersecurity requirements for its owners and operators. Officials said the memorandum will ensure that NSS owned or operated by civilian agencies receive a defense commensurate with those of the Department of War and the Intelligence community.
The memorandum also re-establishes the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) and modernizes it for the first time in over three decades. The CNSS will establish baseline cybersecurity requirements for all NSS and enhance the accountability and coordination to implement cyber defenses across NSS.
According to the memorandum, the CNSS will oversee the cybersecurity of NSS as well as provide collaboration, standardization, and resource management by promoting coordination and information sharing across federal agencies, public-private partnerships and international liaison activities. The CNSS will also leverage the combined authorities and resources of the Federal Chief Information Officer, the Chief Information Officers of the DOW and IC, and the Director of the National Security Agency to ensure there are no gaps or weaknesses in NSS defenses.
The Memorandum also gives cryptologic authority of NSS to the Director of the National Security Agency and allows the director to use the full technical power of the NSA to provide advanced defenses and assistance in order to bolster NSS security.