Reps. Jim Langevin, D-R.I.; Will Hurd, R-Texas and two-time Wash100 Award recipient; Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.; Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.; John Katko, R-N.Y.; and Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md. have jointly introduced a bill that aims to establish a new cybersecurity executive role in the White House.
The National Cyber Director Act would direct the appointment of an executive who would inform the U.S. president on cyber-related matters, Langevin’s office said Thursday.
“After more than a decade studying this issue, I can say with great certainty: cybersecurity policy is complicated,” Langevin, commissioner of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, said.
The bill’s formulation builds on a report issued by the commission. The report recommends reform activities including the appointment of a new cybersecurity leader in the White House.
The cyber director would have more authority in cybersecurity budgeting and incident response than the previous cybersecurity coordinator position created during the Obama administration.
"The Coronavirus has elevated the importance of cyber infrastructure and demonstrated how incredibly disruptive a major cyber attack could be," said Gallagher.
