Cybersecurity is not a new term or concept in the federal government, but we are seeing changes in the way the government plans to address it. The White House recently released a new National Cyber Strategy (NCS), marking the first major cyber policy update of Trump’s second term. With an increase on cyberattacks in recent years and our supply chain remaining vulnerable, the 2026 strategy is set out to be assertive and proactive in nature. This will definitely bring shift priorities in the federal government, and subsequently the world of procurement.
In this blog, we’ll break down what the National Cyber Strategy is, explore the six pillars that define the 2026 update, compare it to previous strategies, and explain what it all means for contractors moving forward.
What Is the National Cyber Strategy and Why It Matters to Contractors
The National Cyber Strategy (NCS) is the federal government’s framework for addressing cybersecurity threats and priorities. While it doesn’t create regulations on its own, it directly influences policies, requirements, and acquisition decisions.
Over time, these strategies shape everything from the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses, to programs like Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). They also influence agency budgets in cybersecurity, what capabilities they prioritize, and how they evaluate risk with their contractors.
With that being said, this policy is a good indicator of what regulations and spending shifts are to come. So, let’s dive into what the 2026 strategy has in store for the future of procurement.
6 Pillars of the 2026 National Cybersecurity Strategy
The updated National Cyber Strategy is organized into 6 pillars. We’ll break each one down below.
Pillar 1: Shape Adversary Behavior
The first pillar focuses on being proactive. It mentions pulling all our resources together to deter cyber threats by confronting adversaries, rather than defending against attacks after they occur.
For contractors, especially those supporting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), this could translate into increased demand for capabilities related to threat intelligence and cybersecurity monitoring tools.
Pillar 2: Promote Common-Sense Regulation
This pillar’s purpose is to streamline cyber regulations and reduce the compliance burden, so companies in the private sector and contractors in the public sector are able to keep up with these rapidly evolving threats.
This doesn’t mean cybersecurity requirements are going away, but the government could refrain from imposing new cybersecurity regulations, or adjust current requirements to be more streamlined. An example of this we are already seeing in action is the new FedRAMP certification framework.
Pillar 3: Modernize and Secure Federal Systems
It’s no surprise here that IT modernization is mentioned as a key priority to protecting federal networks. This includes expanding zero trust architectures, improving cloud security, and preparing for future threats. AI is also mentioned in this pillar to defend federal networks.
For contractors, this pillar just reinforces that spending in federal IT modernization isn’t going anywhere. Agencies will continue to invest in tools and services that increase our network security and improve our authority in AI creations.
Pillar 4: Secure Critical Infrastructure
You can’t have a federal government strategy about cybersecurity without mentioning supply chains. They are a constant source of concern when it comes to foreign cyberattacks. This pillar is all about protecting our infrastructure such as energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and financial systems.
This means there will inevitably be increased scrutiny on any foreign third-party vendors you use for software, AI, or anything related to your supply chains. The emphasis here is U.S.-based companies and technologies. We are already seeing this in action with the newly proposed AI clause in GSA contracts.
Pillar 5: Sustain Superiority in Critical and Emerging Technologies
This pillar is all about investing in emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and advanced cyber capabilities. The goal is to ensure that the U.S. maintains a competitive edge in areas that will define future security. For contractors, this could be a significant opportunity in upcoming solicitations.
Pillar 6: Build Cyber Talent and Capacity
Finally, the strategy addresses one of the most persistent challenges in cybersecurity: the workforce. This pillar discusses creating a cyber talent pipeline through training, education, and public-private partnerships.
We expect to see increased opportunities related to workforce development, training programs, and staffing support, as well as continued competition for skilled cyber professionals with this pillar. Professional services is a booming industry in the federal government right now, and this pillar proves it’ll only grow from here.
How the 2026 Strategy Compares to Previous Cyber Strategies
The National Cybersecurity Strategy is not unique to the current administration. While the NCS was first released in 2018 in Trump’s first term, Biden released NCS documents as well.
At a glance, they all have similar goals—securing supply chains, protecting our network, modernizing IT, and mitigating threats. The biggest difference between Biden’s 2023 NCS and the NCS today is where the responsibility lies. The 2023 NCS was about shifting software liability to vendors and relying on mandatory regulations. The 2026 strategy is about reducing compliance burden, bringing in the private sector, and pulling back on regulations.
If you were to compare Trump’s first NCS and the 2026 strategy, there is certainly more mention of AI, post-quantum cryptography, and zero-trust architecture. These terms were not really buzzwords back then.
Preparing for Future Cybersecurity and IT Opportunities
Right now, contractors can expect continued investment in cybersecurity, IT modernization, and emerging technologies. However, while the NCS and similar regulations are to bring more opportunities across your desk, we cannot ignore the changes it’ll bring too. The newly proposed AI clause is a great example of what we are going to see in the near future, as the administration cracks down on foreign technology and third-party vendors.
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