The U.S. Senate confirmed Sean Cairncross as the National Cyber Director. He will serve as President Donald Trump’s principal advisor on national cybersecurity policy and strategy.
“I want to thank President Trump for this opportunity. It is an incredible honor to serve our country and this President as the National Cyber Director,” Cairncross said in a Saturday White House statement. “As the cyber strategic environment continues to evolve, we must ensure our policy efforts and capabilities deliver results for our national security and the American people. The United States must dominate the cyber domain through strong collaboration across departments and agencies, as well as private industry. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will enter a new era of effective cybersecurity policy.”
Cairncross brings extensive leadership experience to the Office of the National Cyber Director. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and as Senior Advisor to the White House Chief of Staff during President Trump’s first administration.
Last month, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced the nomination of Cairncross to serve as National Cyber Director. The committee voted to report the nomination favorably by a roll call vote, with 11 members in support and one opposed. Three Democrats on the committee backed Cairncross for consideration by the full Senate. Among them was Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, the committee’s ranking member, who has been a leading voice on cybersecurity policy in the Senate.
Cairncross is the chief operating officer for the Republican National Committee and a former senior adviser to the president.
