President Trump Orders Stronger Cyber Defenses Against AI Threats

In an Executive Order ("EO"), President Trump directed federal agencies to strengthen the cyber defenses of government and critical-infrastructure systems against AI-enabled threats. The EO creates a voluntary framework for the government to gain early access to the most capable AI models. 

The "Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security" EO directs the Secretary of the Treasury, working with the National Security Agency ("NSA") and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ("CISA"), to form an "AI cybersecurity clearinghouse" to coordinate the scanning, validation, and patching of software vulnerabilities in voluntary collaboration with the AI industry and critical-infrastructure operators. CISA is further directed to issue Binding Operational Directives to speed the cyber defense of civilian federal systems and to widen access to cybersecurity tools - including "covered frontier models" - for agencies, state and local authorities, and operators such as rural hospitals, community banks, and local utilities. Within 60 days, the Treasury, the NSA, and CISA, with other agencies, should develop a classified process to benchmark the cyber capabilities of AI models and set the threshold for designating a "covered frontier model."

The voluntary framework would let developers ask the government to assess whether a model qualifies and give the government access to such models for up to 30 days before their release to other trusted partners. The EO does not authorize any mandatory licensing, preclearance, or permitting requirement for developing or releasing AI models.

The EO also directs the Attorney General to prioritize enforcement of existing federal criminal laws against anyone who uses AI to illegally access or damage computer systems.