Office of the National Cyber Director explained

Agency Name:Office of the National Cyber Director
Seal:Seal of the Office of the National Cyber Director.svg
Headquarters:Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Budget:$21 million[1]
Chief1 Name:Harry Coker
Chief1 Position:National Cyber Director
Parent Agency:Executive Office of the President

The Office of the National Cyber Director is an agency in the United States Government statutorily responsible for advising the President of the United States on matters related to cybersecurity. It was established in 2021.

History

The position of National Cyber Director was established under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 on the recommendation of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a congressionally-authorized panel convened in 2019 and chaired by United States Senator Angus King and Representative Mike Gallagher.[2] [3] Situated within the Executive Office of the President of the United States, it is statutorily charged with "programs and policies intended to improve the cybersecurity posture of the United States, ... diplomatic and other efforts to develop norms and international consensus around responsible state behavior in cyberspace" and other matters related to cybersecurity.[4]

Authorizing legislation for the office permitted the hiring of up to 75 staff, however, failed to appropriate any funds to do so.[5] By August 2021, the White House was able to identify $250,000 in contingency funding to hire a few personnel to support inaugural director Chris Inglis.[6] Later in 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided $21 million in funding for the ONCD.[7]

On March 2, 2023, the office published a national cybersecurity strategy.[8]

Current staff

List of National Cyber Directors

NameTermPresident(s) served under
1Chris InglisJoe Biden
Kemba Walden (Acting) – November 17, 2023
Drenan Dudley (Acting)November 17, 2023 - December 15, 2023
2December 15, 2023 - Present

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Federal efforts on critical infrastructure cybersecurity come under White House review. Federal News Network. 26 March 2023.
  2. News: Miller . Maggie . July 12, 2021 . Chris Inglis formally sworn in as national cyber director . . August 25, 2021.
  3. News: Sanger . David . Congress, Warning of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities, Recommends Overhaul . August 25, 2021 . . March 11, 2020.
  4. Web site: §1500. National Cyber Director . house.gov . . August 25, 2021.
  5. News: Sabin . Sam . The national cyber director's first hurdles . August 25, 2021 . . June 21, 2021.
  6. News: Ogrysko . Nicole . New cyber executive order a 'necessary shock to the system,' NIST says . WFED. August 25, 2021 . August 19, 2021.
  7. News: PORTMAN, SINEMA, KING, HASSAN, ROMNEY APPLAUD SENATE PASSAGE OF MORE THAN $20 MILLION FOR THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL CYBER DIRECTOR IN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT & JOBS ACT . Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs . August 10, 2021.
  8. News: Smalley . Suzanne. U.S. unveils new cybersecurity strategy with tighter regulations. Reuters . March 3, 2023.