Biden administration announces the nominations of ex-NSA deputy director Chris Inglis as first national cyber director and Jen Easterly as CISA head
The Biden administration plans on Monday to name a former senior National Security Agency official as the first national cyber director …
Washington PostEllen Nakashima
Context & Ripple Effects
The nominations begin filling two federal cybersecurity leadership posts at once: CISA had been without a Senate-confirmed director since Chris Krebs’s firing, while the national cyber director role was newly established. Subsequent coverage shows both nominees were confirmed, with Inglis’s office still awaiting congressional funding even after the Senate vote.
The appointments also created an institutional path that outlasted the initial nominees: Inglis later resigned after clashes with another senior cybersecurity official, and the Senate did not confirm his successor for 10 months.
First-order effects
Chris Inglis and Jen Easterly enter the Senate confirmation process for the national cyber director and CISA director posts, respectively.
CISA gains a prospective permanent leader after a vacancy that followed Chris Krebs’s dismissal; Easterly’s later confirmation completed that transition.
Second-order effects
Congress’s failure to fund Inglis’s authorized office constrains the new national cyber director’s ability to build the staff Congress contemplated, despite his confirmation.
The two appointments place senior cybersecurity coordination across both CISA and the White House cyber director office, making their working relationships consequential for federal cyber policy.
Third-order effects
The later resignation of the first national cyber director and the lengthy gap before a successor suggest that creating a statutory cyber post does not by itself guarantee durable leadership continuity.
If the office continues to turn over with administrations and senior-staff disputes, federal cyber coordination will depend as much on institutional staffing and funding as on who holds the title.
The trend: US cybersecurity governance is moving toward dedicated, Senate-confirmed leadership roles, while funding and leadership continuity determine how durable those institutions become.
How about that. Jen Easterly as the next @CISAgov Director, Rob Silvers as Under for Policy, and Chris Inglis as NCD are brilliant picks. Don't forget Anne Neuberger as Dep NatSecAdvisor already in place. My goodness. This is a team. https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/..…
@ericgeller
Eric Geller on x
Have confirmed @nakashimae's reporting that Biden today will nominate Chris Inglis, Jen Easterly, and Rob Silvers. Story with @NatashaBertrand coming soon. https://twitter.com/...
@dnvolz
Dustin Volz on x
Confirming Ellen's reporting: Jen Easterly expected to be nominated to run CISA today, and Chris Inglis for national cyber director. Both are NSA alums, adding to spy agency's clout in Biden admin. Rob Silvers also to be tapped for undersecretary of DHS. https://www.wsj.com/... h…
@robertmlee
Robert M. Lee on x
Agree. Anne as NSC/White House cyber lead has already been amazing, if we're going to have an NCD having it be Chris Inglis is outstanding. Jen as CISA lead and grabbing Rob for Undersecretary - a very powerful, well informed, and passionate team with been there done that exp. ht…
@ericgeller
Eric Geller on x
Biden will name Chris Inglis as his national cyber director & Jen Easterly as his CISA director tomorrow, @nakashimae scoops. Possible change of plans after Easterly was rumored to be NCD pick. Rob Silvers, rumored CISA frontrunner, gets different job. https://www.washingtonpost.…
@dalperovitch
Dmitri Alperovitch on x
Congratulations to @JenEasterly as @CISAgov Director, Chris Inglis as National Cyber Director, and Rob Silvers as Undersecretary of Policy @DHSgov. Special thank you to Chris for his service on @SilveradoPolicy Strategic Council. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... 1/2
@ezraacohen
Ezra A. Cohen on x
Good choice. Of note, Chris Inglis authored the preeminent paper on the importance of splitting CYBERCOM and NSA. https://twitter.com/...