The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) commends the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for its comprehensive Implementation Roadmap for the National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology (NSSCET). SIIA appreciates the inclusion of stakeholder feedback and believes the roadmap effectively addresses both immediate and long-term actions needed to maintain U.S. leadership in standards development for critical and emerging technologies. They highlight the importance of engaging with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, suggesting that more detailed strategies for involving these entities will strengthen the overall strategy and ensure effective stakeholder engagement. SIIA supports the roadmap’s focus on removing barriers to private sector participation, tracking U.S. Government programs, establishing interagency coordination mechanisms, and expanding support for private sector-led innovation and strategic cooperation.
Additionally, SIIA underscores the need for improved communication channels between the public and private sectors, recommending concrete information sharing and feedback mechanisms. They support the roadmap’s emphasis on increasing R&D funding and sustaining U.S. representation in international standards governance. To further enhance the roadmap, SIIA suggests developing “NSSCET profiles” for different categories of critical and emerging technologies, starting with privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). This approach would consider the unique needs, risks, and development status of each category, ensuring targeted strategies and better alignment with evolving priorities.
