A proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives would create the position of national cyber director within the White House. U.S. Representative John Katko (R–Camillus) is among the lawmakers who have introduced the National Cyber Director Act. Katko also previously unveiled a bill that would establish a cybersecurity advisory committee, which now has a companion […]
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A proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives would create the position of national cyber director within the White House.
U.S. Representative John Katko (R–Camillus) is among the lawmakers who have introduced the National Cyber Director Act. Katko also previously unveiled a bill that would establish a cybersecurity advisory committee, which now has a companion bill in the U.S. Senate.
National cyber director
The director would serve as the U.S. president’s principal advisor on cybersecurity and “associated emerging technology issues,” and function as the lead national-level coordinator for cyber strategy and policy, Katko’s office said in a news release.
Katko is a ranking member on the cybersecurity, infrastructure protection & innovation subcommittee. He introduced the measure with four other House lawmakers.
The national cyber director would develop and oversee implementation of a national cyber strategy, direct and coordinate federal agency cyber activities, collaborate with private-sector entities, and participate in meetings of the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council.
The president would appoint the position, which would be subject to U.S. Senate confirmation. The individual would lead an office within the Executive Office of the President.
“At the national level, we need a coordinated approach to cybersecurity that ensures individuals, businesses, schools, hospitals, and governments are protected against cyberattacks,” Katko said. “For this reason, I introduced the National Cyber Director Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish the national cyber director position within the White House. This position would be filled by a dedicated cyber expert who would lead a cohesive national cyber strategy that protects our country against cyberthreats. This is a significant step forward for improving our national security.”
The creation of a national cyber director was a “key recommendation” in the cyberspace solarium commission’s inaugural report this year.
The cyberspace solarium commission is a Congressionally-chartered commission tasked with developing and recommending a national strategy for improving American cybersecurity.
The commission reiterated this recommendation in a recently published pandemic white paper which outlined measures to protect against cyberthreats during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cybersecurity advisory committee
Katko is also applauding U.S. Senators David Perdue (R–Ga.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D–Ariz.) for introduction in the Senate of companion legislation to Katko’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act.
With “bipartisan support” in both chambers of Congress, Katko on June 23 called for immediate consideration of this measure.
Introduced last year by Katko, the bipartisan Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act would establish an advisory committee at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to coordinate and improve U.S. cyber efforts. Made up of cybersecurity professionals from every major business sector, as well as state and local-government officials, the committee will consult with, report to, and make recommendations to the director of CISA.
In March, Katko’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act was also recommended in the cyberspace solarium commission’s report. The measure was one of two Katko-authored measures included in the commission’s final report.
“I am pleased to see Sens. Perdue and Sinema introduce the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act, in the Senate,” Katko said. “Throughout the past few years, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an uptick in cyberattacks that have compromised personal data, proprietary information, and in many cases crippled operations for businesses and governments. This bill aims to better secure our nation and protect against evolving cyberthreats by creating a public-private committee at [CISA].”
