WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), Co-chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), today released the following statement on the Biden administration’s newly unveiled National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan illustrates how the administration will carry out the NCS’s objectives, many of which were initially key cybersecurity priorities of the CSC.

“The National Cybersecurity Strategy issued in March provided a well thought-out vision for our nation’s cyber defense; this Implementation Plan is a forward-thinking, comprehensive policy plan that can turn the Strategy into action,” said the CSC Co-Chairs. “While this Implementation Plan charts an appropriate and aggressive course, it only adds urgency to the need for a permanent National Cyber Director to be nominated to navigate the path forward.”

“This document needs to be the first of numerous implementation plans. Ideally, we should expect to see a new National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan annually,” continued the CSC Co-Chairs. “If there is anything that we have learned about government over the last 20 years, it is that ‘execution is as important as vision’, and that strategic plans pertaining to cybersecurity that are not properly implemented are destined to fail.”

The National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan lays out how the administration will complete its policy goals for the nation’s roles, responsibilities, and resources in cyberspace. Read the new Implementation Plan HERE and a fact sheet HERE.

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The National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan seeks to accomplish the policy objectives the Strategy set forth of building and enhancing collaboration around five pillars:

• Defending Critical Infrastructure 
• Disrupting and Dismantling Threat Actors 
• Shaping Market Forces to Drive Security and Resilience 
• Investing in a Resilient Future 
• Forging International Partnerships to Pursue Shared Goals 

As Co-Chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), Senator King and Representative Gallagher are recognized as two of Congress’ leading experts on cyber defense and are strong advocates for a forward-thinking cyber strategy that emphasizes layered cyber deterrence. Since it officially launched in April 2019, dozens of CSC recommendations have been enacted into law, including the creation of a National Cyber Director.