Trump names an ‘AI & Crypto Czar;’ Agencies are falling short on IoT cybersecurity compliance

David Sacks, a venture capitalist, former CEO of enterprise social network firm Yammer and podcaster, will join the incoming administration in a new role President-elect Donald Trump referred to in a Thursday night announcement as the “White House AI & Crypto Czar.” In a series of posts on Trump’s own Truth Social platform, he said Sacks “will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness.” Trump said that Sacks will “focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas” while safeguarding free speech online and steering the nation away from what he referred to as Big Tech bias and censorship. Another key priority for Sack will be working on a legal framework so the crypto industry has “the clarity it has been asking for, and can thrive in the U.S.

A handful of federal agencies missed deadlines to complete Internet of Things cybersecurity requirements called out in a 2020 law, a new congressional watchdog report found. The IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020 required the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Office of Management and Budget to develop guidance for securely procuring IoT — networked technology and devices typically connected to physical objects like buildings, vehicles and other infrastructure. The law also required 23 civilian federal agencies to implement IoT cybersecurity requirements, though a waiver process was to be established by OMB.

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