The newest Nationwide Protection Authorization Act (NDAA) invoice for fiscal yr 2025 from the Home Armed Companies Committee incorporates vital provisions to discover the function of blockchain know-how in nationwide safety and protection functions. The proposal authorised by the committee was despatched to the total Home for consideration, and the Senate Armed Companies Committee introduced it up on the Senate flooring on July 9.
It states
“The committee acknowledges the potential use of blockchain know-how for broader nationwide safety functions throughout the protection setting.”
The primary point out of blockchain know-how within the NDAA appeared in fiscal yr 2018, marking the preliminary recognition of the know-how inside nationwide protection laws. Throughout this yr, the US Home of Representatives added two blockchain-related amendments to the annual protection spending invoice. The adjustments directed the Division of Protection (DoD) to research the potential offensive and defensive cyber capabilities of blockchain know-how and report again inside 180 days.
The Division of Protection responded to this request by making a report analyzing blockchain's cybersecurity capabilities, assessing its use by the US authorities and important infrastructure networks and assessing their vulnerability to cyberattacks. This means rising authorities curiosity in making use of blockchain know-how for functions equivalent to cyber safety and provide chain administration.
Blockchain for Protection
This month, the Senate Armed Companies Committee continued to look at the potential of blockchain know-how for nationwide safety and protection functions. The 2025 NDAA report consists of tips for blockchain, recognizing its potential to enhance the cryptographic integrity of protection provide chains, enhance information integrity, and cut back dangers of knowledge manipulation by adversaries.
The Secretary of Protection has been directed to research the usage of blockchain for nationwide safety functions with a deal with safe, clear, accountable and auditable information associated to produce chains. A briefing on these functions is required by April 1, 2025.
Particularly, this briefing is meant to cowl a number of key areas:
- Assessing the advantages and dangers of implementing blockchain into provide chain administration.
- Evaluation of the present state of blockchain adoption throughout the Division of Protection and the Protection Industrial Base.
- Plan pilot applications or analysis initiatives exploring the usage of blockchain in nationwide safety functions equivalent to provide chain administration and cybersecurity.
- Evaluation of blockchain analysis and growth actions by international nations, particularly China and Russia.
- Organizational suggestions to help blockchain growth throughout the Division of Protection, together with the feasibility of building a coordinating workplace or middle of excellence.
- Suggestions for legislative or regulatory measures to extend provide chain transparency and visibility by way of blockchain know-how.
The Division of Protection has already explored blockchain functions, culminating in a 2024 contract with blockchain startup Constellation. This initiative marked a big step in the usage of blockchain to extend the cybersecurity of backend techniques and the safe switch of knowledge between Protection Transportation System business air transport companions.
Bitcoin for an insult
Along with persevering with to discover blockchain functions, the Division of Protection might quickly contemplate bitcoin as a part of its strategic initiatives. Jason Lowery, writer of “SoftWar: A Novel Principle on Energy Projection and the Nationwide Strategic Significance of Bitcoin,” revealed that members of Donald Trump's marketing campaign management sought his experience on Bitcoin.
Lowery highlighted bitcoin's potential for nationwide safety and proposed the creation of a “US Hash Pressure” involving companies such because the Division of Vitality (DoE) and the Division of Protection (DoD). Particularly, he proposes that the US Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) or US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) set up a Mixed Hashing Part Command (CHFCC).
This initiative would contain working with FVEYE and NATO nations to counter digital warfare efforts by adversaries equivalent to Russia and China. The proposal is consistent with the Senate Armed Companies Committee's directive to research nationwide safety makes use of of blockchain, reflecting broader authorities curiosity in the usage of blockchain know-how for protection and cybersecurity.
Present Administrative Position in Blockchain Adoption within the Navy
A latest directive from the Senate Armed Companies Committee highlights the rising recognition of blockchain's potential in navy and protection functions. The committee's proactive stance consists of plans for pilot applications, assessments of the advantages and dangers of blockchain for provide chain administration, analyzes of its present adoption in business and overseas, and feasibility and value estimates. This evolving analysis displays a strategic push to make use of blockchain know-how to enhance nationwide safety and protection capabilities.
Whereas the SEC has been allowed to manage by way of enforcement, the incumbent authorities has performed a big function in advancing blockchain know-how within the protection sector. Via legislative motion, strategic agreements, and interagency initiatives, the federal government has laid the groundwork for integrating blockchain know-how into nationwide safety and public service operations.
The Senate's directive to discover blockchain for navy functions, the adoption of navy contracts with blockchain firms, and the passage of FIT 21 within the Home of Representatives point out legislative help for blockchain know-how on this space. However blockchain-powered digital property have a much less apparent future below Democrats than Republicans after the RNC's new 2024 platform.
