BY MILES LAYTON
Laurie Buckhout, a retired U.S. Army colonel and former congressional candidate, has been promoted to one of the nation’s top cybersecurity leadership posts.
Buckhout confirmed she is now serving as Assistant National Cyber Director for Policy in the Executive Office of the President, working as the second-in-command to Sean Cairncross, the National Cyber Director.
The appointment places Buckhout at the center of U.S. efforts to secure cyberspace and respond to growing digital threats.
Buckhout said she was “thrilled to be able to continue to serve the nation and the president” in her new role. The move marks a transition from her previous post at the Department of Defense to a White House-level position directing national policy.
Role of the Office of the National Cyber Director
The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) was established in 2021 through the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act. The office was created to provide the president with a principal advisor on cybersecurity policy and strategy, and to coordinate cyber efforts across federal agencies.
Its responsibilities are broad, ranging from protecting sensitive data and information systems to securing supply chains, deterring malicious cyber activity, and building international norms for responsible behavior in cyberspace. The National Cyber Director also monitors how federal departments implement cyber policy, ensuring both effectiveness and efficiency.
As the assistant director of ONCD, Buckhout will help oversee these nationwide efforts. She described her mission simply: directing national policy to secure American interests in cyberspace.
A Veteran of Service
Buckhout’s career has consistently combined military service, defense policy, and public leadership. A retired colonel, she spent decades in the U.S. Army, particularly in communications and electronic warfare. Her service gave her firsthand knowledge of how cyber operations intersect with national security and military readiness.
After retiring from active duty, she moved into senior advisory roles in defense and cybersecurity, helping guide strategy at the highest levels of government. Her new appointment reflects the trust placed in her expertise and leadership.
“Hell yeah,” Buckhout quipped in one celebratory note, capturing both the seriousness of the assignment and her personal enthusiasm for the work ahead.
A Political Contender
In addition to her military and policy career, Buckhout is familiar to many in eastern North Carolina for her foray into politics. In 2024, she ran as the Republican candidate for the state’s 1st Congressional District. Although she narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Don Davis, her campaign drew national attention as one of the most competitive in the region’s recent history.
That political experience elevated her profile and showed her ability to connect with voters on issues ranging from defense to rural economic growth. Observers note that her blend of political and defense experience positions her well for the high-profile, often politically sensitive role she now occupies in Washington.
Cybersecurity at a Crossroads
Buckhout’s appointment comes at a critical moment. The United States faces a steady drumbeat of cyber threats, from ransomware attacks targeting hospitals and schools to nation-state campaigns probing critical infrastructure and government systems.
The ONCD, under Cairncross’s leadership and with Buckhout as deputy, will be tasked with coordinating the federal response and strengthening defenses across the public and private sectors.
For Buckhout, the move represents both a continuation of her service and a new opportunity to shape national strategy. “I’m honored to continue serving,” she said. “This is about securing the nation’s future in a domain that affects every American.”