I served at the White House on the National Security Council Staff from 2017 - 2021 as a Deputy Assistant to the President, and the Senior Director for Cyber. In this capacity I was responsible for coordinating all U.S. government national security cyber, supply chain, cryptocurrency and telecommunications strategy and operations.

Here are some of the unclassified highlights things my team and I accomplished during that time. Not included are the detailed implementation plans, which accompanied these documents, and ensured the execution of the strategic direction of the President:

1. National Strategies

   1. National Security Strategy (2018)

      Strengthened the U.S. commitment to safeguarding digital infrastructure, promoting innovation, and enhancing global cybersecurity standards, creating a more resilient and secure foundation for both national and international technology ecosystems

   2. National Cyber Strategy (2018)

      Set a comprehensive framework for defending the United States against cyber threats, advancing national resilience, and fostering international partnerships, thereby enhancing both American and global cybersecurity through proactive, coordinated defenses

   3. National Strategy to Secure 5G (2020)

      Provided a blueprint for protecting 5G infrastructure from security risks, ensuring secure and resilient networks for the U.S. and its allies, and setting a global standard for the safe adoption of next-generation telecommunications technology.

   4. National Maritime Cybersecurity Plan (2020)

      Established a comprehensive strategy to safeguard maritime infrastructure from cyber threats, enhancing the security and resilience of global shipping and trade networks essential to both U.S. and international economic stability.

2. Executive Orders

   1. Executive Order 13800, “Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure" (2017)

      Initiated a government-wide effort to modernize cybersecurity practices, protect essential infrastructure, and promote information sharing, significantly enhancing resilience against cyber threats across U.S. federal networks and critical systems worldwide.

   2. Executive Order 13873, “Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain” (2019)

      Created the first major tool since CFIUS to defend against predatory economic activity sponsored by hostile foreign nations, establishing a capability to protect U.S. technology infrastructure from foreign adversaries, enhancing national security and helping safeguard global supply chains against compromise and cyber threats.

   3. Executive Order 13870, “America’s Cybersecurity Workforce” (2019)

      Fostered the development and expansion of the nation’s cybersecurity workforce, promoting skill-building and workforce readiness across the U.S., and setting a global standard for cybersecurity talent to better protect critical infrastructure and digital ecosystems.

   4. Space Policy Directive 5, “Cybersecurity Principles for Space Systems” (2020)

      Established foundational cybersecurity principles for space systems, promoting the protection of space assets from cyber threats, thereby enhancing the resilience and security of both U.S. and international space operations essential for communication, navigation, and national security.

   5. Executive Order 13913, “Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector” (2020)

      Finally formalized a decades-long informal oversight mechanism to assess foreign involvement in U.S. telecommunications infrastructure, strengthening national security by protecting the communications industry from foreign threats and ensuring secure telecom networks nationally.

   6. Executive Order 13984, “Taking Additional Steps To Address the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber- Enabled Activities” (2021)

      Empowered agencies to block and mitigate transactions linked to foreign cyber threats, bolstering the United States' defenses against malicious cyber activities and contributing to global cybersecurity stability.

3. Big Picture Efforts

   1. Revised how U.S. military cyber operations are authorized, worldwide, leading to a sea-change in organizational behavior across multiple departments and agencies.
   2. Coordinated all U.S. government efforts regarding how the United States deals with Chinese technologies (which are by law dual-use).
   3. Architected and coordinated the execution of America’s international 5G strategy, engaging with 30+ countries on behalf of the President to ensure a free and open telecommunications equipment market.
   4. Prevented overreaching regulations that would have effectively strangled the cryptocurrency industry (mandating KCY on all transactions, even those between unhosted wallets).