Earlier the White House Office of the National Cyber Director  released a technical report focused on reducing memory safety vulnerabilities and the need for stronger software security as foundational piece of addressing broader cyberspace defense. The report also outlines how enhanced measurability of software security could further serve to improve overall cybersecurity and reduce vulnerabilities.

Created by Congress in 2021, ONCD is a part of the Executive Office of the President at the White House. ONCD had led the development and ongoing implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy initiatives laid out in March of 2023. This latest ONCD report is another positive step in supporting the objectives of that strategy and aligning with industry to improve security across cyberspace.

You can find the White House press announcement, fact sheet and official ONCD report online. Mark Dankberg joined other industry leaders in offering support:

Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO, Viasat: We applaud the White House and ONCD for its continued leadership in advancing cyber defenses and its outreach to the space community. This new technical report takes a positive step forward on a critical issue—the need for foundational safeguards against the root cause of many vulnerabilities across the software supply chain. Addressing vulnerabilities across systems and infrastructure, and ensuring resilient and diverse connectivity options are vital to national security interests. Space adds an important layer to this diversity but, by its nature, faces a distinct set of security challenges. We strongly believe in public-private partnership and are excited to align with ONCD on creative security approaches that go beyond just standard controls and reporting requirements.

In February 2023, Mark was appointed by the White House to serve on the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) alongside a group of industry leaders.