Trump administration eyes cyber incubator

The White House is considering a government-led cybersecurity research incubator to invest in startups building tools for federal use. The Office of the National Cyber Director is drafting an executive order to launch the program.

Program aims to attract venture capital

The draft order describes the program as a cyber foundry designed to birth new companies. The goal is to attract venture capital investments in cybersecurity startups aligned with government priorities.

Israel's model inspires U.S. approach

The effort has been compared to Israel's alignment of military priorities with cybersecurity startups and venture capital. Israeli cyber intelligence veterans founded major companies like Wiz, Palo Alto Networks, and Check Point Software Technologies.

First cyber-specific government tech effort

While the Pentagon and CIA have long funded tech research with national security applications, this would be the first cyber-specific effort. The program marks a new approach to government-backed technology development.

AI-driven threats drive urgency

The White House is tackling a new strain of AI-related cyberthreats where AI systems can exacerbate attacks and carry out hacks undetected. This has increased demand for new cybersecurity talent and solutions.

AI enables identity fraud at scale

AI is helping criminals build false identities and mimic voices and faces well enough to fool identity checks. Voice authentication has already failed, leaving financial institutions exposed to fraud.

“That leaves issuers with an additional question: not only whether a transaction looks risky, but whether the person behind it exists at all.”