Cyberspace Solarium Co-Chairs Applaud “Critical, Timely” Cybersecurity Provisions in Annual Defense Bill

December 08, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), Co-Chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), today applauded the inclusion of several key cybersecurity provisions in the final version of the2023 National Defense Authorization Act. The joint House and Senateversion of the annual defense bill released this weekincludes legislation to establish a Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy to coordinate international cyber affairs at the U.S. Department of State – a top recommendation of the CSC.
The released text also requires U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) to research its methods for responding and deterring cyberattacks and recommends that the Navy create a cyber officer position. As Co-Chairs of the commission, King and Gallagher pushed for these provisions to be included in the final version of the bill.
“As threats from Russia, China, and other adversaries grow, the United States must continue to invest in strong cyberdefenses. That’s why the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act includes critical, timely provisions to improve the Pentagon’s cyber coordination and ensure that CYBERCOM has the tools it needs to successfully deter any foe,”said Senator King.“The bill’s creation of a Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy is another important step towards the Cyberspace Solarium Commission’s goal of giving cyber a voice at the table both in our government and on the world stage. When the Solarium released our list of recommendations, we made it clear this was an action document, not a report designed to collect dust. I’m proud of the significant progress we’ve made over the last few years and look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.”
“This NDAA takes another important step towards better securing our country in cyberspace,”saidRep. Gallagher.“From the inclusion of the Cyber Diplomacy Act, which ensures the State Department is structured to promote our values in cyberspace, to continued guidance on CYBERCOM on force generation, readiness, and acquisition, the Cyber Solarium Commission continues to enact critical legislation to defend our country.”
Significant cybersecurity provisions in the2023 National Defense Authorization Actinclude:

As Co-Chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), Senator King and Representative Gallagher are recognized as two of Congress’ leading experts on cyberdefense and are strong advocates for a forward-thinking cyberstrategy that emphasizes layered cyberdeterrence. Since itofficially launched in April 2019,dozens of CSC recommendations have been enacted into law, includingthe creation of a National Cyber Director.