In November of 2024, BSA | The Software Alliance, a leading advocate for the global enterprise software industry, delivered a series of proposals to the incoming US Trump/Vance administration to address some of the most significant technology policy issues affecting economies and society. Although directed at the United States for consideration during the government transition period, the recommendations can be viewed as a foundational roadmap that can apply to all global governments and economies.

The document highlights BSA’s policy priorities for issues including AI, privacy, workforce development, International data policy, cybersecurity, supply chain resilience, IP, and procurement. Here’s a summary of the key recommendations in each area:

• Priorities in AI: AI has matured from an emerging technology into a commercial reality, making a profound impact on businesses, organizations, and communities. Governments must cultivate a policy environment that promotes AI innovation while putting forth clear and workable rules for AI that ensure a competitive landscape for small businesses seeking to incorporate AI. Most importantly, governments must instill trust and confidence in AI that it will be deployed responsibly and legal protections will keep pace with the evolution of the technology applications.
• Priorities in Privacy: Governments should enact comprehensive privacy laws that ensure consumers have the same strong rights to data privacy wherever they live. Specifically, the laws should create new rights for consumers to access, correct, and delete their personal data as deemed necessary; create stringent obligations on business handling of consumers’ personal data; assign obligations based on the role of the organizations on how a consumer’s personal data will be collected and used; and create strong and consistent enforcement mechanisms.
• Priorities in International Data Policy: Governments should advance strategic digital trade and data governance norms that can help national economic security, which creates jobs and new business opportunities. Specifically, BSA recommends that governments should prohibit digital trade barriers; strengthen national security through robust cyber, data, and supply-chain security policies; and promote digital solidarity with allies and partners.
• Priorities in Cybersecurity: All nations need to take robust action to confront cybersecurity threats, while recognizing the important role that commercial businesses play in national and economic security. Strategies should be developed in collaboration with private sector partners while committing to using risk-based approaches to regulation. BSA emphasizes 4 immediate priorities: Enhancing software security, elevating and improving cybersecurity risk management, collaborating across borders, and investing in long-term digital resilience.
• Building Supply-Chain Resilience and Security: Technology is central to both economic competitiveness and national security concerns. The BSA advocates that countries work with like-minded partners to rebalance global relationships, bolster coordination with allied economies, and control the outflow of sensitive technologies while maintaining visibility into technological innovations abroad. The BSA urges governments to develop distinct economic competitiveness and national security strategies; strengthen strategic relationships; tailor measures to enhance technological leadership and security; and prioritize innovation leadership and engagement with allies.
• Priorities in Intellectual Property: The software industry is a key driver of research and development initiatives around the globe. With the growth of AI technologies, the contribution by the software industry to global economies is sure to grow. A well-functioning intellectual property (IP) system provides software developers indispensable incentives to invest and apply their creative and inventive energies to innovate, while maintaining key flexibilities and safeguards to prevent abuse. The BSA recommends that governments preserve copyright certainty in the era of AI and prioritize patent quality and innovation.
• Priorities in Procurement: All countries must update their IT infrastructure to keep up with up with the commercial market. As technology moves forward, governments must find ways to speed the acquisition of enterprise software to update antiquated and expensive systems. Modern IT infrastructure will provide better cyber security posture while reducing operations and maintenance costs on outdated systems. Specifically, the BSA recommends: Promote responsible migration to multi-cloud services; streamline certifications; harmonize regulations; and fund IT modernization to increase security.

For more than 3 decades, Wibu-Systems has worked steadfastly towards establishing itself at the forefront of cybersecurity and software license lifecycle management, safeguarding the digital assets and intellectual property of organizations worldwide. We are very supportive of the recommendations and policy priorities put forth by BSA and already have developed and made available many of the innovative tools required to help our customers achieve their technology security goals. To learn more about this journey, I invite you to watch this inspiring video interview of Wibu-Systems founding fathers and their path to perfection of software protection, licensing, and security.