Lawmakers Say Cyber Director Vacancy to Hinder National Cyber Strategy

Sen. Angus King and Rep. Mike Gallagher said in a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday that the absence of a Senate-appointed national cyber director after the retirement of former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis in February will not only reduce the stature of the office but also negatively affect the implementation of the national cyber strategy. King and Gallagher, who are co-chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, urged Biden to nominate Acting National Cyber Director Kemba Walden, who assumed the role since the retirement of Inglis, FCW reported.

The lawmakers said Walden is highly qualified for the position and has proven her competence since taking on the acting national cyber director role almost three months ago. According to her LinkedIn profile, Kemba was previously assistant general counsel at the digital crimes unit of Microsoft and was responsible for launching and leading the unit’s Ransomware Program. She also handled various legal roles at the Department of Homeland Security, including lead attorney for the DHS representative to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and cybersecurity attorney for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.