Tasked national cyber leader confronts a stacked agenda
In the wake of the Biden administration, the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) has been leading a national cyber workforce strategy with the aim of boosting recruitment and retention of government cyber talent. One of the key figures in this strategy is Sean Cairncross, the newly confirmed White House National Cyber Director.
Cairncross's appointment comes at a critical time, as the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015) is due to expire on September 30, 2025. This legislation, which plays a crucial role in enabling the timely sharing of cyber threat indicators and defensive measures between federal agencies and private sector entities, is widely regarded as necessary for continued national cybersecurity efforts.
CISA 2015 includes important privacy protections and liability protections for companies sharing cyber threat information. Its provisions have been vital in responding to and mitigating cyber threats on critical infrastructure. As the national cyber director, Cairncross is expected to play a key role in championing the reauthorization of CISA 2015.
While specific public statements on his direct actions toward reauthorization are limited, Cairncross will likely be pivotal in coordinating federal cybersecurity policy, guiding strategic priorities, and facilitating collaboration between government and private sectors to ensure continued strong defense mechanisms.
The ONCD, still a relatively new organization within the federal government, could also focus on updating the government's cyber incident response plan, addressing "continuity of the economy" planning for a large-scale cyber attack, and more closely aligning different cyber regulations.
Moreover, Cairncross is expected to serve as the president's principal cybersecurity advisor and coordinate cyber policy across government. He is the third Senate-confirmed national cyber director since the position was established in 2021.
However, concerns about underfunding and prioritization of the Sector Risk Management Agencies that oversee critical infrastructure sectors persist. The Office of the National Cyber Director needs to coordinate and strengthen these agencies to ensure that the most systemically critical assets are identified and prioritized for support. This effort could require updating a national security memorandum on critical infrastructure security signed by former President Joe Biden last year.
In conclusion, the role of the ONCD, under the leadership of Sean Cairncross, is crucial in advancing national cybersecurity efforts, particularly in the reauthorization of CISA 2015. The expiration of CISA 2015 on September 30, 2025, poses a significant threat to US cybersecurity, and the strategic efforts of Cairncross will be instrumental in ensuring continued protection against cyber threats.
- The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), under the leadership of White House National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross, is expected to champion the reauthorization of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015).
- Cairncross, as the president's principal cybersecurity advisor, is situated to coordinate cyber policy-and-legislation across the federal government and play a key role in policy formulation.
- A main objective of the ONCD's national cyber workforce strategy is to boost recruitment and retention of government cyber talent, with Sean Cairncross serving as one of the key figures driving this initiative.
- The federal workforce, specifically in cybersecurity, could experience a reimagined approach as a result of the efforts led by the ONCD and Sean Cairncross, with a focus on recruitment, retention, and collaboration between government and private sector entities.
