Drenan Dudley appointed new acting national cyber director
The White House on Friday announced that Drenan Dudley will be the new acting national cyber director while the Senate continues the confirmation process for NCD nominee Harry Coker.
Dudley, who has served as the deputy national cyber director for strategy and budget since August, spent 16 years on the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee before joining the Office of the National Cyber Director, according to a White House spokesperson. The spokesperson noted that the White House is urging the Senate to “quickly confirm” Coker as the national cyber director.
“I’m honored to be asked by the president to lead my colleagues as the acting national cyber director,” Dudley said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to implement the national cybersecurity strategy and supporting this administration’s continued efforts towards building a secure and resilient cyberspace that is aligned with our values,.”
Dudley continued: “The hard work taking place across this organization will continue apace while we await Mr. Coker’s confirmation. I, along with all of my colleagues, am grateful to acting Director [Kemba] Walden for her leadership and wish her well in her next endeavor.”
Walden took over as the acting director shortly following the departure of Chris Inglis, ONCD’s inaugural director, and oversaw the implementation plan for the national cybersecurity strategy as well as a workforce and education strategy.
The Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday advanced Coker, a former National Security Agency executive director and CIA officer, for vote on the Senate floor following an uneventful nomination hearing. A date for a vote is not set.
