Following Attacks, National Cyber Director Nominee Advocates for "More Aggressive" Stance

During a Senate homeland security committee hearing, Sean Cairncross, nominated for the role of national cyber director, advocated for offensive cyber strategies against foreign threats amid criticism regarding proposed budget cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Despite his limited experience in cybersecurity, he argued for a more aggressive U.S. stance against adversaries, particularly following recent sophisticated cyberattacks. However, Senator Elissa Slotkin raised concerns about the administration's Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which proposed a nearly $495 million reduction for CISA and the loss of over 1,000 jobs, warning that such cuts could leave key sectors vulnerable to cyber threats and likening the situation to pre-9/11 security shortcomings. Cairncross struggled to defend the budget proposal amid alarms raised by lawmakers over the increasing risks of cyber incidents.

Opens on The Register