WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, issued a statement celebrating the swearing-in of Chris Inglis, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June to serve as the nation’s first-ever National Cyber Director. The newly-created National Cyber Director position was a key recommendation of the Cyber Solarium Commission, and was one of the 25 CSC recommendations included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. Senator King introduced Inglis, who also served as a CSC Commissioner, during his nomination hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. At the time, Senator King stated, “I honestly believe, based upon three years of extensive engagement on this issue with people across the country, he is the single best person to fill this role.”

“The threats of cyberattacks aren’t just looming – they are here and harming us every day,” said Senator King. “America is a uniquely connected nation, but that leaves us especially exposed to bad actors, and our cyber vulnerabilities are being exploited to make our nation made less safe. Given that cybersecurity touches every aspect of our government and our lives – from our laptops to the Internet of Things – the U.S. desperately needs centralized leadership to coordinate the federal response to improve our defenses. After serving with him for two-plus years on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, I am confident that Chris Inglis is the right person to take on this vital role. His swearing-in is a major step forward for America’s cyberdefense posture; now, it’s time for us all to get to work.”

As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senate Armed Services Committee, chair of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. and co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, Senator King is recognized as one of Congress’s leading experts on cyberdefense and a strong advocate for a forward-thinking cyberstrategy that emphasizes layered cyberdeterrence. King and his fellow CSC Commissioners from the legislative branch have previously praised Inglis’s experience and vision, stating that “there is no one more qualified than Chris” for this vital role.  His expertise and national security insights were seen most recently on CNN’s “State of the Union” live from Millinocket, Maine. The CSC was established by statute in the 2019 NDAA, officially launched in April 2019, and will continue to execute its statutory mission through December 2021. The Commission’s report and continued work seeks to strengthen America’s posture in cyberspace and identify opportunities to improve our national preparedness to defend ourselves against cyberattacks.