The OG Cyber Strategy: What It Said (and Didn't Say) About Crypto!
Hey digital navigators! Ever wonder how governments try to keep the wild, wild west of the internet from turning into a total free-for-all? It's a huge task, like herding digital cats while they're all inventing new tricks. Back in 2018, the Trump administration dropped its big national cyber strategy, basically a massive guidebook on how to keep America safe and sound in the digital realm.
Now, imagine this strategy as a superhero's master plan. Its main goals were pretty classic: protect American interests online (think national security, critical infrastructure like power grids and banks), deter bad actors (the digital villains of the world), and maintain a secure and resilient digital backbone for everyone. It was all about "peace through strength," but for your computer screen. Pretty standard stuff for a global superpower trying to stay ahead in the ever-evolving cyber arms race.
But here's where it gets interesting for us crypto curious folks: Guess what terms weren't exactly front and center, screaming from every page? You guessed it – crypto and blockchain! 🤯
Yup, despite the crypto world starting to bubble up (though not yet at its current boil), the strategy didn't explicitly lay out specific rules or visions for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or the underlying blockchain tech. It was more about the general landscape of cyber threats and opportunities.
So, did that mean crypto was just flying under the radar? Not exactly!
Even though the strategy didn't wave a "Crypto Welcome" or "Crypto Beware" flag specifically, its broad strokes absolutely still applied to the decentralized world. Think about it:
- Stopping the Bad Guys: A huge part of any cyber strategy is catching cybercriminals, right? And what do some of those digital villains often use for payments, ransomware, or illicit transfers? You got it – crypto! So, any plan to enhance law enforcement's ability to track and stop digital crime implicitly includes activities involving cryptocurrencies.
- Protecting Our Digital Wallets & Economy: If the goal is to protect America's economic prosperity and maintain financial system stability, that naturally extends to all forms of digital assets and transactions, even if they're not explicitly named. A secure digital environment is good for innovation, and blockchain definitely falls into that category.
- Future-Proofing Tech: While not focusing on blockchain directly, the strategy encouraged a secure environment for technological advancement. This meant creating a space where new technologies could thrive without being immediately vulnerable to attack. Blockchain, with its potential for secure data and new financial systems, needs that kind of playground.
Essentially, the 2018 strategy was like a giant umbrella. It might not have named every single type of rain it was designed to block, but it was certainly meant to keep the whole digital landscape dry and safe. The rise of crypto and blockchain has only made it clearer how fast the digital world moves and how quickly national strategies need to adapt and evolve.
It's a wild ride, folks, and keeping our digital borders secure is a never-ending quest!
Original article inspiration: https://beincrypto.com/trump-cyber-strategy-crypto-blockchain-security/