FIRST IN MC — Kemba Walden, the Biden administration’s former acting national cyber director, is trading the public sector for the world stage, taking the helm of a brand-new cybersecurity institute at venture capital firm Paladin Capital Group. — Immediate priorities: Paladin’s self-described goal is to coordinate between the public and private sector to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, as well as invest in cyber and advanced tech. Walden’s new role running the Paladin Global Institute, which launches today, will go a step further: to protect global digital infrastructure, to enhance safety online and to influence startups to align with and collaborate on the National Cybersecurity Strategy. “It’ll be focused initially on cybersecurity risks, AI risks and digital biology,” Walden said. “Those are the three topics I’m thinking through, and thinking about how to bring together government policymakers and technologists.” — The four Ws: What will Walden watch? While election security for myriad global elections this year is on everybody’s radar, Walden is also paying attention to another interconnected vulnerability: supply chains. “Supply chain security is going to be picking up some steam this year,” Walden said, adding that it’s “going to be a big deal” in 2024. — Passing the baton: When asked about the next chapter of the ONCD, Walden acknowledged that she’s met and chatted with new national cyber director Harry Coker — who will be shepherding the White House’s ambitious and largely still-to-be-implemented cyber strategy — but didn’t disclose details of the conversation. Over the last few months, a growing number of GOP lawmakers have been increasingly lashing out over the Biden administration’s cyber and disinformation efforts, which lawmakers allege has become a smokescreen to censor conservative voices online. With a looming election in November, those voices may grow louder. Still, Walden said she’s “not concerned” about the backlash or a break in its bipartisan nature. “The work of the National Cyber directorate, I fully expect to transcend any administration, regardless of the political persuasion.” — Dream gig redefined: Walden was a fan favorite during her time leading the office, from rolling out the Biden administration’s first national cybersecurity strategy, to spearheading the follow-up cyber implementation plan and unveiling a cyber workforce and education strategy. Looking back, she told MC it was her “dream job.” “It really spoke to what my passions are, and I was very pleased to be a part of the president’s vision,” she said. “The throughput in my passion is still being served at the Paladin Global Institute,” she added. “This is where I get to continue the nation’s vision.”
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