News poll: Cybersecurity the biggest concern for incoming U.S. president

YARMOUTH, Maine — With the U.S. presidential election swiftly approaching, the November News Poll found that cybersecurity should be on the minds of the incoming administration in January. 

The Security Systems News (SSN) poll found that the most important security issue facing the incoming president in 2025 was cybersecurity threats with 38.71% of responses regarding that as its greatest concern. "Cybersecurity challenges from major global powers and economic stability are all equal and significant challenges that will need to be addressed,” one SSN reader commented.  

It was followed by terrorism with 32.26% of responses. “Our current open borders are the greatest threat,” another reader wrote. Third and fourth place in the poll went to supply chain vulnerabilities and school safety with 19.35% and 9.68% of votes respectively.  

When it comes to which security technology will have the most impact in protecting the country over the next four years, Cybersecurity took the top spot once more with 58.06% of votes. AI and machine learning came in second with a respectable 35.48% of the vote, and 6.45% of responses voted for drones. No respondents believed that biometrics/facial recognition will have much of an impact in comparison. 

As for what will be the most critical factor that shapes the security landscape under the new administration, 32.26% held that economic stability (inflation, recession risks, and supply chain vulnerabilities) will be the defining factor for the incoming president. 29.03% believe that it will boil down to the relationships and rivalries with major global powers such as China and Russia. The remaining votes were split evenly with 19.35% each to technological advances in AI and cybersecurity, and to the ongoing threat of domestic and international terrorism.