President Biden has revealed his intention to nominate Harry Coker, a former official of both the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), as the next national cyber director.
The position has been vacant for about five months following the departure of the first-ever national cyber director, Chris Inglis, in February.
New National Cyber Director
The absence of a national cyber director has raised concerns among lawmakers, former officials, and tech industry groups, who have been urging the administration to fill the crucial role swiftly.
Axios tells us that the nomination of Harry Coker, pending Senate confirmation, is expected to bring much-needed leadership to the Office of the National Cyber Director, created by Congress in early 2021, to harmonize and spearhead the government's cybersecurity strategies.
Why Coker?
Coker's background aligns with other top cybersecurity officials within the administration, having served nearly two decades in the intelligence community.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Coker held key positions, including the executive director at the NSA and roles within the directorate of science and technology at the CIA. His extensive experience makes him well-suited to take charge of the nation's cybersecurity initiatives.
Currently, Coker operates as a partner at C5 Capital, a venture firm in the Washington, DC area. Interestingly, his predecessor, Chris Inglis, also returned to government service after spending time at Paladin Capital and graduating from the US Air Force Academy.
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Notably, Coker was part of the agency review team during Biden's transition, specifically tasked with creating a short-list for intelligence community positions.
This experience further highlights his familiarity with the intricacies of the intelligence landscape and positions him as a credible candidate for the national cyber director role.
The Office of the National Cyber Director
The Office of the National Cyber Director has already made significant strides in its short existence, including leading the formulation and implementation of the administration's inaugural national cyber strategy.
Additionally, the office has hosted several forums covering topics such as electric vehicle cybersecurity and workforce issues, showcasing its potential for driving cybersecurity progress across various sectors.
However, amid its accomplishments, the office has encountered challenges, as reports of political infighting and senior staff departures surfaced in recent months.
The nomination of Harry Coker, if confirmed by the Senate, is expected to reinvigorate the Office of the National Cyber Director and its vital mission. An aide for Senate Homeland Security Committee Chair Gary Peters (D-Mich.) confirmed the committee's intention to expedite Coker's nomination process, underlining the urgency to address cybersecurity concerns.
Yet, the nomination was not without controversy. The White House reportedly declined to nominate Kemba Walden, the acting national cyber director, citing her personal debts as the reason.
The debts allegedly included mortgage payments and private school costs for her children. Despite receiving support from bipartisan lawmakers and even Inglis, the decision to bypass her nomination has raised some eyebrows.
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