White House announces new acting cyber director, as nominee awaits Senate vote

Drenan Dudley — currently the deputy national cyber director for strategy and budget in the White House Office of the National Cyber Director — will take up the work of leading that office, as the White House’s nominee for the post, Harry Coker Jr., works his way through the Senate. 

The White House announced Dudley as the acting national cyber director Friday, the last day on the job for the current acting national cyber director, Kemba Walden. Walden has been in the role since March after the office’s first director, Chris Inglis, left the job.

ONCD’s announcement of the news included an ask for lawmakers “to move quickly” to confirm Coker to the post, which has not had a permanent occupant since February.

In her current role, Dudley sets strategy and budget priorities for the office, working with partners including the Office of Management and Budget. She has worked at ONCD since August 2022, when the White House announced her as the assistant national cyber director for budget review and assessment in a round of hires for the then-new cyber office.

Before moving to the White House, Dudley worked for the Senate Appropriations Committee for over 15 years and as the director of projects and grants for former South Carolina Senator Fritz Hollings.

“I look forward to continuing to implement the National Cybersecurity Strategy and supporting this administration’s continued efforts towards building a secure and resilient cyberspace that is aligned with our values,” she said in a statement. “The hard work taking place across this organization will continue apace while we await Mr. Coker’s confirmation.”