The US Senate on Tuesday confirmed Harry Coker as the next National Cyber Director serving in the White House’s Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD).
Coker, confirmed on a 59-40 vote, is the second to take on this role after Chris Inglis stepped down in February.
Coker previously served as executive director of the NSA and held various leadership positions in the CIA.
As for his plans as National Cyber Director, Coker said during his confirmation hearing that he would “continue the good work that ONCD has done with its partners”.
The role of National Cyber Director was established in 2021 after the massive SolarWinds hack came to light. The ONCD advises President Biden on cybersecurity policy and strategy and it spearheaded the National Cybersecurity Strategy.
Kemba Walden was named acting national cyber director after Inglis left the office, but stepped down in November, with Drenan Dudley, ONCD’s deputy for strategy and budget, temporarily assigned to the role. Walden was initially believed to take on the role permanently, but she withdrew her name following some controversy.
“We are delighted that the Senate confirmed Mr. Coker as our next National Cyber Director,” Dudley said following Coker’s confirmation by the Senate. “His four decades of experience in the public and private sector will further ONCD’s success. We look forward to his leadership advancing the work underway to implement President Biden’s National Cybersecurity Strategy.”
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