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National Cyber Director

President Donald Trump, left, and China’s President Xi Jinping arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan on October 30, 2025. Trump and Xi have both been publicly impassive about cyber operations in the past few months.(Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

While White House demands deterrence, Trump shrugs

Trump’s dismissive remarks on cyber threats contrast sharply with his administration’s official calls for action.
National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross, then-CEO, Millenium Challenge Corporation, speaks onstage during the 2019 Concordia Annual Summit – Day 2 at Grand Hyatt New York on Sept. 24, in New York City. (Photo by Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)

National cyber director says U.S. needs to counter Chinese surveillance, push American tech

Sean Cairncross, in remarks at a summit, also said the United States needs to send a stronger message that Chinese cyberattacks are unwelcome.
Chairman Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., (L), accompanied by Ranking Member Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. (R), speaks during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs confirmation hearing for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought on Jan. 15, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Cyber threat information law hurtles toward expiration, with poor prospects for renewal

Short-term and long-term extensions alike for the 2015 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act have fallen by the wayside despite industry and Trump administration advocacy.
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National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross, then-CEO, Millenium Challenge Corporation, speaks onstage during the 2019 Concordia Annual Summit – Day 2 at Grand Hyatt New York on Sept. 24, in New York City. (Photo by Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)

New National Cyber Director Cairncross faces challenges on policy, bureaucracy, threats

It’s a “pivotal” moment for Sean Cairncross, fresh off his Senate confirmation in a changing federal cyber landscape.
Sean Cairncross, as CEO of the Millenium Challenge Corporation, speaks onstage during the 2019 Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. (Photo by Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)

Senate confirms national cyber director pick Sean Cairncross

The president selected the former RNC, White House and Millennium Challenge Corporation official for the job in February.
Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump, walks with Sean Cairncross, then-CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, through the alleys of Rabat’s Old city on Nov. 7, 2019. (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sean Cairncross has policy coordination in mind if confirmed as national cyber director

The nominee, who doesn’t have as much cyber experience as his predecessors, also touted his credentials and views on current threats during his Senate confirmation hearing.
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