The White House's chief of staff praised Walden, one of the few Black women leaders in a profession dominated by White men, for demonstrating "excellent leadership" when she took on her role.
Kemba Walden, who has been acting director since mid-February, has received endorsements from Democrats and Republicans as well as her predecessor, former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis.
Inglis was the United States’ first-ever National Cyber Director whose office spearheaded the drafting of President Joe Biden’s National Cybersecurity Strategy announced in March 2023.