Defense Bill Would Require New Cyber Requirements for Some DoD Telecom Contracts

The House-Senate compromise version of the FY2026 NDAA would require the Department of Defense to ensure that wireless phones and telecommunications services provided to senior officials or employees performing sensitive national security functions are acquired under contracts mandating enhanced cybersecurity protections, specifically: (1) encryption of data on phones and of telecommunications, (2) obfuscation of persistent device identifiers to reduce tracking risk, and (3) continuous monitoring capabilities.