Boosting America's digital defense: Key takeaways from the FY 2026 budget priorities

Ahead of the new US federal fiscal year, the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the National Cyber Director released a memorandum outlining cybersecurity priorities for the FY 2026 budget, which aims to enhance federal agencies' defenses by implementing Zero Trust architecture, establishing baseline cybersecurity requirements for critical infrastructure, and ensuring the secure use of open-source software. The memo emphasizes strengthening the cybersecurity workforce through skills-based hiring and removing entry barriers, while also preparing for post-quantum cryptography to counter future threats. Public-private collaboration is highlighted as crucial, with a focus on defending critical infrastructures like energy systems and telecommunications. The document also suggests employing solutions like Elastic Security to unify data and improve threat detection, aiming for a more coordinated and robust federal cybersecurity posture.