The White House released its highly-anticipated 2026 National Cybersecurity Strategy, outlining how the U.S. federal government intends to protect government systems, critical infrastructure, businesses, and citizens.

As states across the country grapple with how to adopt AI responsibly, North Carolina offers a compelling case study - not because it has all the answers, but because it has built the institutional muscle to learn, adapt, and lead.

Developing a national cybersecurity strategy is a critical investment a government can make to secure its future. This paper outlines the components and offers a framework with the tools to design, implement, and improve their strategies.