Cyber czar to draw on new powers from defense bill
By Maggie Miller - 01/09/21 05:00 PM EST
New authorities from the recently enacted defense bill are expected to help the U.S. government in its response to the SolarWinds hack believed to be perpetrated by Russia.
The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which became law this past week after Congress overrode President Trump’s veto, formally established a cyber czar position at the White House, in addition to granting numerous other cybersecurity powers that could help the incoming Biden administration respond to the Russian hack.
“Once this individual is appointed and confirmed, this would be the individual who is coordinating the response,†Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), one of the key members of Congress who pushed for the national cyber director position to be established, told The Hill this week.
The national cyber director, a Senate-confirmed position, could play a critical role as federal agencies grapple with the depth and breadth of the SolarWinds hack.
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https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/533457-cyber-czar-to-draw-on-new-powers-from-defense-bill
