President Donald Trump has signed a new National Security Presidential Memorandum aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity of the federal government’s most sensitive military and intelligence networks and modernizing how those systems are governed across agencies.
The June 12 memorandum (NSPM-12) focuses on National Security Systems (NSS), which include computer networks that process classified information or directly support military, intelligence, and national security missions. According to the White House, the directive is intended to address evolving cyber threats and establish a more unified approach to protecting critical government systems.
A central component of the memorandum is the modernization and reestablishment of the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS), which has not undergone significant updates in more than 35 years. Under the new framework, the CNSS will be responsible for establishing baseline cybersecurity requirements across all National Security Systems and issuing binding security directives to system owners and operators.
The memorandum also clarifies authorities, roles, and responsibilities for agencies that own or operate National Security Systems, with an emphasis on accountability and coordination. The White House said the changes are designed to ensure that systems operated by civilian agencies receive cybersecurity protections comparable to those used by the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.
The directive further strengthens the role of the National Security Agency. As National Manager for National Security Systems, the NSA Director is empowered to leverage the agency’s technical expertise and resources to support the security of sensitive government networks across federal departments and agencies.
In addition to establishing cybersecurity requirements, the memorandum seeks to improve information sharing and coordination among federal agencies, public-private partners, and international counterparts. It also encourages the use of shared services and calls for the removal of outdated requirements to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
The memorandum creates a Policy Coordination Committee that will work with the CNSS to assess the cybersecurity posture of National Security Systems and identify areas requiring additional attention.
The White House described the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S. cyber defenses amid an increasingly complex threat environment. The administration noted several related initiatives over the past year, including a June 2025 executive order focused on protecting critical infrastructure from foreign cyber threats, a National Security Presidential Memorandum on artificial intelligence in national security operations, a March 2026 executive order targeting cybercrime and fraud, and the release of a national cyber strategy earlier this year.
According to the administration, securing National Security Systems remains a key component of supporting military operations, intelligence activities, and broader national security objectives in an increasingly contested cyber environment.
