Crossing Administrations: The Focus On Federal Cybersecurity Continues

Bottom Line Up Front

Federal contractors, including defense contractors, should prepare for the emergence of new requirements in the coming months that are designed to strengthen software supply chain security, impose more stringent cybersecurity obligations, combat cybercrime, and encourage the development of more advanced identity verification technology. To date, cybersecurity-focused programs and initiatives advanced late in the Biden Administration remain active, despite the Trump Administration's recent recission of a number of other Biden Executive Orders. This alert discusses a recent proposed revision to applicable regulations governing contractors that handle certain sensitive federal information, a Biden Executive Order focused on cybersecurity issued in his final days in office, and an overview of the regulatory framework that has provided the foundation for both.