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The Trump administration has nominated Sean Cairncross for National Cyber Director, a role that would see him succeed Harry Coker as the US president’s advisor on matters related to cybersecurity.
Cairncross, who served as CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation from 2019 to 2020 and as a senior adviser in the previous Trump administration, has been tapped to manage programs and policies to improve the cybersecurity posture of the United States.
His previous experience includes a stint as the chief operating officer for the Republican National Committee during the 2016 election cycle, as well as roles in the White House and as Deputy Assistant to the President.
He will replace former CIA/NSA official Harry Coker, who resigned.
The National Cyber Director position, a job established by federal law and long championed by lawmakers and outside experts, was created to help ensure a more streamlined strategy and coordinated response to cyberattacks that invariably pull in officials from multiple agencies.
Former NSA deputy director Chris Inglis served as the first National Cyber Director before retiring last year. Inglis and his team crafted the National Cyber Strategy that pushes for stronger regulations for companies and suppliers in the critical infrastructure sector and a more aggressive government response to major hacking attacks.
In tandem with Cairncross’s nomination, published reports have identified Sean Plankey as the nominee to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Plankey previously held key cyber roles at the Energy Department and the White House during the previous Trump administration and will need senate confirmation to manage critical cybersecurity efforts across federal agencies and partnerships with the private sector.
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