This year’s release of an updated and comprehensive National Cybersecurity Strategy reflected a burning need to build “a more defensible and resilient digital ecosystem” through “generational investments” in cyber infrastructure, increased digital diplomacy and private-sector partnerships, regulation of critical sectors, and allowing software firms to be held liable if their products hold the door open for hackers. At the forefront of many of the actions outlined in the plan is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency – and CISA Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Eric Goldstein, who also leads the way in partnering with the private sector to help battle mounting cyber threats and heighten awareness about those threats. In this role since February 2021, Goldstein leads CISA’s mission to protect and strengthen federal civilian agencies and the nation’s critical infrastructure against cyber threats. Previously, Goldstein was the Head of Cybersecurity Policy, Strategy, and Regulation at Goldman Sachs, where he led a global team to improve and mature the firm’s cybersecurity risk management program. He served at CISA’s precursor agency, the National Protection and Programs Directorate, from 2013 to 2017 in various roles including Policy Advisor for Federal Network Resilience, Branch Chief for Cybersecurity Partnerships and Engagement, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity, and Senior Counselor to the Under Secretary. At other points in his career, Goldstein practiced cybersecurity law at an international law firm, led cybersecurity research and analysis projects at a federally funded research and development center, and served as a Fellow in Advanced Cyber Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, among other roles.
Eric Goldstein
Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency