Act at the Speed of Threat: Strengthening U.S. and Allied Cyber Readiness for 2027 and Beyond

December 2, 2025

The Strategic Cybersecurity Coalition (SCC) has released a comprehensive white paper calling for urgent modernization of U.S. international cybersecurity assistance programs. Based on case studies and analysis, the paper asserts that current FMS, FMF, and grant mechanisms are not suited to the speed, scale, or operational needs of modern cyber threats.

Key challenges include multi-year delays, limited embassy-level cyber expertise, and acquisition thresholds that treat basic defensive tools the same as multi-billion dollar weapons systems. The paper also outlines strategic risks that arise when allied nations turn to adversarial suppliers, including heavily subsidized foreign technology platforms.

SCC recommends several targeted reforms to improve speed, accountability, and coordination across agencies. These include establishing a Minimum Technology Threshold for streamlined cyber acquisitions, expanding Direct Commercial Contracting authority, increasing the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, creating a Trusted Vendor Network, and strengthening embassy training and authorities.

The time to act is now. The United States has a narrowing window to help partners secure their networks and ensure they can adopt trusted U.S. technologies at the speed required to counter modern threats.

Read the full white paper below:

White Paper SCC - FINAL.pdf

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