Bipartisan senators commend the signing of legislation authorizing National Cyber Director detailees

A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently applauded the passage of legislation authorizing non-reimbursable Office of the National Cyber Director (NCD) detailees.

U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angus King (I-ME), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) said the measure would be included in the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The NCD is a new position responsible for coordinating the implementation of national cybersecurity policy and strategy. With cyberattacks rising in scope and consequence, it is crucial to provide the National Cyber Director with the personnel to address cyber threats, the senators said.

“I’m pleased this bipartisan legislation has been signed into law as a part of the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act so that the new Office of the National Cyber Director can be staffed as soon as possible, especially as our nation is increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks,” Portman, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “National Cyber Director Inglis is tasked with coordinating the implementation of national cyber policy and strategy, and it is crucial that he be able to bring on staff.”

Sinema said equipping the National Cyber Director with qualified staff strengthens America’s ability to protect itself against increasingly frequent cyberattacks while helping to ensure Arizona families, employers, and communities stay safe and secure.

“The federal government needs qualified professionals to help lead our response to relentless cyber-attacks and defend against foreign adversaries and cybercriminals who target our networks,” Peters, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “This important bipartisan effort will ensure the National Cyber Director, a position I was proud to help create, has the personnel to more effectively address the cybersecurity threats to our nation.”