Voters Increasingly View Technology and Cybersecurity as Pressing National Security Issues

AUGUST 2025

This document summarizes key findings from six online focus groups conducted by GBAO for National Security Action in August 2025. Participants included Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – all of whom follow U.S. foreign policy at least occasionally. All participants reside in Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio, or Texas.

KEY FINDING:

Across the political spectrum, voters increasingly identify technology, cybersecurity, and online scams as urgent national security challenges. When asked what comes to mind with the phrase “national security,” many point not only to traditional threats like terrorism or military conflict, but also to digital threats that feel more immediate and personal. “When I think of national security, I think about the internet – hacking security systems, surveillance, and everything like that,” said a Democrat from Texas. 

Concerns about identity theft, data breaches, election interference, and online fraud have become deeply ingrained in the public consciousness, especially as daily life becomes more reliant on digital infrastructure. China is frequently mentioned in this context, with voters citing Chinese cyberattacks and hacking as serious threats to U.S. security. An Independent from Georgia expressed his feeling that “China is a threat because of the spying and the kind of manipulation in certain aspects with and spyware things and the potential for them to want to steal our information.”

This was also reflected in National Security Action’s polling, which revealed more than two-thirds of voters prioritize protecting America from spying, cyber, and IP theft when asked about the U.S. relationship with China.

Many express anxiety about America’s vulnerability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, where adversaries can exploit gaps in cybersecurity with real-world consequences. These concerns are compounded by the rise of artificial intelligence, which voters fear could be weaponized or misused in ways that further destabilize society, the economy, and our government. As technology advances, so too does the public’s sense that national security must adapt – and that the U.S. needs stronger protections in place to stay ahead of emerging digital threats. 

MORE FROM VOTERS:

  • “I was in IT for 45 years. Cybercrime is the worst it's ever been, and it continues to be worse and worse every day, it seems, with data being stolen and lost and, you know, cybercrime – criminals getting into systems and government systems and that sort of thing. I don't think there's enough emphasis to fix it.” (Ohio Republican)

  • “I’m definitely worried about terrorists and outside invaders and things like that, but also like cyberattacks and things like that and needing to be prepared for things that we don't quite know anything about.” (North Carolina Independent)

  • “I have seen some videos of people talking about the new technology of terrorists and ways they can get around our security. And it just scares me when I hear things like that. And I just hope that we have people in place that are, you know, researching these things to prevent them.” (Georgia Republican)

TAKEAWAYS:

  • It would be wise to proactively frame technology and cybersecurity as core components of national security heading into 2026 and beyond. Voters across the political spectrum already view cyber threats, online scams, and foreign hacking – particularly from adversaries like China – as major national security concerns. These issues are no longer abstract or niche; they are deeply personal, widely understood, and increasingly urgent in the public imagination.

  • Messaging should connect the dots: safeguarding our digital lives is safeguarding our national security. By framing this as a matter of protecting families, jobs, and democracy itself, we can meet voters where they are – and stake a clear leadership position where others haven’t.