The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) faces an uncertain future as its current acting director, Kemba Walden, has been informed that she will not receive the nomination for the permanent position, according to anonymous sources.
Walden, who has been involved in establishing the ONCD since 2022 and garnered support from key lawmakers and cybersecurity leaders, was notified of the decision in recent weeks. The lack of clarity surrounding leadership poses a risk to the agency’s initiatives, as it is still in its early stages and faces a critical moment.
The specific reason for Walden’s denial of nomination remains undisclosed, but sources described it as “bullshit and nonsensical” and “defying imagination.” The White House has not addressed the decision directly, but a statement commended Walden’s leadership and her contributions to national security, economic prosperity, and technological innovation. The ONCD, which recently unveiled an implementation plan for the national cybersecurity strategy, could face delays and setbacks without a permanent director in place.
Key cybersecurity leaders in both the public and private sectors are likely to be disappointed by the decision, as they have urged the White House to promptly fill the position. In May, Senators Angus King and Representative Mike Gallagher expressed concerns about the delay in nominating a candidate to replace Chris Inglis and the potential impact on the office’s stature and the strategy’s implementation.
The failure to nominate a permanent National Cyber Director could be seen as dysfunctional and disappointing, risking national security and leaving the United States more vulnerable to cyberattacks, warned Mark Montgomery, former executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
As of now, it remains unclear when or who the White House will nominate to fill the role, although names such as Rob Silvers, undersecretary for strategy, policy, and plans at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Suzanne Spaulding, a former DHS undersecretary for cyber and infrastructure, have surfaced as potential candidates.
Five industry groups have called on the White House to make a nomination by the end of July to avoid hindering the progress made under Director Inglis and Acting Director Walden, and to ensure the effectiveness of the National Cyber Strategy.
