The GW Law National Security, Cybersecurity, & Foreign Relations Law Program, with the National Security Law Association (NLSA), hosted a discussion led by Visiting Associate Professor and National Security, Cybersecurity, and Foreign Relations Law Fellow, Lindsay Rodman with the first National Cyber Director, Chris Inglis, on "Creating a National Cybersecurity Strategy."
Inglis served as the first National Cyber Director from July 2021 to February 2023. He previously served as a Deputy Director of the National Security Agency and served in the United States Air Force from 1976 to 2006 when he retired as a Brigadier General. He holds a Professional Degree in Computer Science from George Washington University.
The event offered GW Law students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to learn about the creation and implementation of a national cybersecurity strategy that serves national security goals and unites the private and public sectors. It also offered Inglis an opportunity to inform students about their roles in an increasingly cyber-oriented world.
During his discussion, Inglis used cyber-attack cases like "SolarWinds" and the "Colonial Pipeline" to highlight the importance of crafting a robust and responsive cybersecurity strategy. Inglis noted that a robust cybersecurity strategy starts with understanding people and then utilizing technology to achieve effective implementation. Building on this principal, Inglis spoke of the national cybersecurity strategy in terms of market forces, incentive structures, regulation, and defensibility. Inglis also forecasted that young professionals—like GW Law students—will play an increasingly important role in the cybersecurity field. He further encouraged students to take an active interest in contributing to the creation and implementation of national cybersecurity strategy in their future careers.
Finally, Inglis answered student and faculty questions about cybersecurity strategy and new technology that will impact cybersecurity strategy. His thoughts regarding artificial intelligence and ethical cybersecurity behavior were of particular interest to students.