The Internet Security Alliance (ISA) has unveiled a new proposal titled “Zero Cost Path to American Cybersecurity.” The 21-page report outlines five key initiatives that aim to improve U.S. cyber defenses without requiring significant new government spending.
ISA emphasizes practical, low-cost strategies that shift cybersecurity from a regulatory burden to a national strength. The plan focuses on easing compliance pressures for private-sector organizations while enhancing national resilience to evolving digital threats.
One major recommendation is cutting duplicative federal cybersecurity regulations. ISA calls on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to eliminate overlapping mandates across government agencies. According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, as much as 79% of agency requirements are in conflict. Streamlining these rules could free billions of dollars for active defense operations.
Another proposal involves mandating cost-benefit analysis for new cybersecurity regulations. While critics argue that measuring cyber risk is difficult, ISA believes structured economic modeling can help align resources with actual impact.
The plan also calls for modernizing the 2015 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act before it expires in 2025. Updates should address new challenges such as AI-driven threats, cloud vulnerabilities, and supply chain risks. ISA stresses the need to create stronger incentives for private-sector organizations to participate in information-sharing programs.
To address workforce shortages, ISA supports the proposed PIVOTT Act. The bill would fund cybersecurity education in exchange for government service. ISA estimates this approach could close the federal cybersecurity talent gap—currently over 35,000 open positions—within four years.
Finally, ISA recommends building a national cybersecurity dashboard. Based on its NACD-ISA framework, the dashboard would give policymakers a high-level view of systemic risk and help evaluate the return on federal cybersecurity spending.
Supporters say the plan could reframe cybersecurity as a competitive advantage for the United States. Critics remain skeptical about whether federal agencies have the authority to repeal existing regulations or whether cost-benefit analysis can capture the full value of avoided breaches. With cyber incidents rising and AI threats increasing, ISA argues that these zero-cost strategies offer both immediate impact and long-term benefits.
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