Acting National Cyber Director (NCD) Kemba Walden will depart from her White House position on Friday, an NDC spokesperson confirmed to MeriTalk today.
Walden’s resignation comes days before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to vote on the nomination of President Biden’s choice – Harry Coker – to fill the NCD post permanently.
President Biden nominated Coker for the White House position in July after the inaugural NCD Chris Inglis stepped down from the role in February. Walden is currently serving as the acting director at Office of the National Cyber Director (OCND), but withdrew her name from consideration for the permanent position.
“I recently notified President Biden of my intention to conclude my service as Principal Deputy National Cyber Director and Acting National Cyber Director,” Walden said in a statement emailed to MeriTalk on Nov. 13. “As I prepare to depart, I do so full of gratitude to the President and Vice President, my colleagues and my family.”
“Together we’ve accomplished so much including releasing and implementing the President’s National Cybersecurity Strategy in an effort to build a safe, secure digital ecosystem that aligns with our values and allows all Americans to prosper,” she said. “I will leave knowing our work has truly contributed to the security of our nation.”
“I remain humbled by the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of public servants in ONCD and across this Administration,” Walden said. “It has been the honor of a lifetime and I look forward to cheering on the work ahead as a private citizen.”
Coker’s nomination vote will take place at the committee level on Wednesday. His nomination hearing – which he breezed through earlier this month – saw little to no opposition from lawmakers on either side of the aisle. If voted for in the affirmative on Nov. 15, Coker’s nomination will be sent to the full Senate for consideration.
But with the government on the brink of another possible shutdown, it’s not clear when Coker’s anticipated confirmation will take place.
One of the more consequential issues that may come with being director-less is the delayed implementation of major cyber initiatives. The ONCD is responsible for overseeing a slew of plans including its National Cyber Strategy and National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy – as well as the implementation roadmaps for both of these strategies.
The White House did not respond to questions about who would fill in for Walden in the event that Coker is not confirmed ahead of her departure on Friday.
