WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) today applauded the unanimous passage of bipartisan legislation to provide the newly-created Office of the National Cyber Director (NCD) with staff to begin its vital work – introduced just yesterday. The legislation would authorize non-reimbursable detailees for the Office of the National Cyber Director, address urgent personnel needs and provide additional support to the NCD’s work coordinating national cybersecurity policy and strategy. The creation of the National Cyber Director position was a key recommendation of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Earlier this month, Senator King celebrated the swearing-in of Chris Inglis, who was confirmed in June by the U.S. Senate.

“The newly-created National Cyber Director position is vital to coordinating America’s cyberdefenses, and I believe Chris Inglis is the right man for the job – but I also know that he can’t do it alone. Fortunately, he doesn’t have to, because this evening the Senate passed legislation to provide his office with specialists that will bring vital resources and expertise,” said Senator King. “Any good field general needs troops and a team to execute the mission, and as we confront global cyberthreats and ransomware criminals, we must ensure that Director Inglis has the tools and capability to protect our society, economy, and nation from those seeking to do us harm. Today’s legislation is a good first step, and I will continue advocating for resources that allow the Office of the NCD to fulfill its mission.”

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.

In addition to Senator King, the legislation is supported by Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).