NIST is requesting $78.4 million in funding to strengthen the security of the nation’s digital infrastructure and critical systems. The funding would support NIST’s cybersecurity and privacy activities, including foundational research and the development of standards and technical guidance. The proposed budget is a net decrease of $3.3 million from the previous year, allowing NIST to focus on core cybersecurity activities and the work of its National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.
The article highlights the growing dependence on cyberspace by the federal government, critical infrastructure sectors, and all Americans. It also notes the increasing frequency and impact of cyber threats posed by criminals, governments, hacktivists, and terrorists. Emerging technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence are expected to further increase the complexity of the threat landscape.
NIST’s foundational cybersecurity research aims to address the challenges posed by these emerging technologies by developing standards and guidelines for secure implementation and use. The research is intended to help partners in the private sector, academia, and government manage their risks and ensure that the internet remains a source of innovation and growth.
Keywords: Quantum, Computing, Cybersecurity, Standards, NIST
