Press Releases

NTSC Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Create Role of National Cyber Director

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

ATLANTA, GA (July 21, 2020) — The National Technology Security Coalition (NTSC) supports bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), John Katko (R-NY), C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), and Will Hurd (R-TX) to establish the Office of the National Cyber Director.

H.R. 7331, the National Cyber Director Act, will create the role of National Cyber Director who, according to Rep. Langevin, will “serve as the President’s principal advisor on cybersecurity and associated emerging technology issues and function as the lead national-level coordinator for cyber strategy and policy. The creation of a National Cyber Director is a major recommendation of the [Cyberspace] Solarium Commission, a Congressionally-chartered group that includes members of Congress and the Administration, as well as private sector leaders.”

“The NTSC applauds Representatives Langevin, Gallagher, Maloney, Katko, Ruppersberger, and Hurd for their bipartisan leadership on urging the creation of the National Cyber Director role,” said NTSC Executive Director Patrick Gaul. “As the only association solely representing Chief Information Security Officers, the NTSC supports the concept where the nation’s most important cybersecurity threats, issues, and challenges are coordinated within one office and shared with the President.

“We agree with the Cyberspace Solarium Commission in its recent report that ‘As emerging technology- and cyberspace-related issues become more complex, and consequently a greater threat to U.S. national security, the President’s need for sound advice and timely options will be increasingly critical.’ Also, as pointed out by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a National Cyber Director role ‘would codify the requirement for the U.S. government to work as the senior point of contact for the American business community, which finds itself on the front line of the cyber domain.’

“The Chamber’s language strikes a chord with the NTSC because the CISOs on our Board of Directors are those ‘on the front line of the cyber domain.’ Through the NTSC, CISOs seek to have their voices heard more in Washington, D.C., and we’ve had productive dialogue with many important federal cybersecurity policymakers as part of our efforts. However, having a National Cyber Director office would allow CISOs to directly engage the White House and communicate our policy concerns to a central point of contact. This is especially important related to our policy priorities of addressing critical infrastructure threats and strengthening the public-private partnership around cybersecurity.”

“At the national level, we need a coordinated approach to cybersecurity that ensures individuals, businesses, schools, hospitals, and governments are protected against cyberattacks,” noted Representative John Katko in a press release. “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.”

About the National Technology Security Coalition

The National Technology Security Coalition is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that serves as the preeminent advocacy voice for the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) across the nation. Through dialogue, education, and government relations, we unite both public and private sector stakeholders around policies that improve national cybersecurity standards and awareness.

Contact: Patrick Gaul, Executive Director
Phone: (404) 457-4329
Email: Patrick@NTSC.org

Twitter @NTSC_CISO