New Defense Bill Would Reestablish Cybersecurity Position Previously Nixed by Trump Administration
A provision to establish a national cybersecurity director at the White House has been included in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines the budget for national defense spending. In 2018, the administration of President Donald Trump eliminated a similar position.
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The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act could provide for a new national director of cybersecurity, according to Rhode Island Congressman Jim Langevin.
Rhode Island Democrat Congressman Jim Langevin, a senior member of the House Armed Servies Committee, co-introduced separate legislation in June to create the position. The provision included in the 2021 NDAA is based on that legislation, known as the National Cyber Director Act.
“I’ve been working on bolstering our nation’s cybersecurity for more than a decade, and it is abundantly clear the country needs someone in charge of cybersecurity at the highest levels