Trump’s national cyber director nominee clears Senate committee

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Monday voted to advance national cyber director nominee Sean Cairncross to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

The NCD plays a critical role in dictating executive branch cyber policy and leads an office considered critical to the federal government’s efforts to bolster cybersecurity nationwide.

Three Democrats on the committee gave Cairncross the nod to be considered for a full Senate vote, including committee ranking member Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) who has been a leader in the Senate on cybersecurity issues.

Although Cairncross is one step closer to confirmation, his nomination has not been without controversy. He was grilled at his June 5 confirmation hearing about his lack of cybersecurity experience and whether he has the skills to assume a role which has previously been filled by cyber experts.

Cairncross is the chief operating officer for the Republican National Committee and a former senior adviser to the president.

At his hearing, Cairncross emphasized that the U.S. needs to use offensive cyber operations more frequently, a view in line with the Trump administration. 

Cairncross acknowledged that he lacks a “technical background in cyber” but told senators that his management experience in the private sector and at the federal Millennium Challenge Corporation makes him a strong candidate for the position.

“I've had to deal with foreign nation attacks on our systems,” he said at his hearing. “On the user side, I have that experience.”

Cairnncross has support from several cybersecurity leaders, including Chris Inglis, the first National Cyber Director who is widely respected for his cyber expertise.