Trump’s cyber chief pick has little experience in The Cyber

President Trump has reportedly chosen a candidate for National Cyber Director — another top tech appointee with no professional experience in that role. Citing non-public documents listing multiple planned Trump nominations, Politico reports the President intended to nominate Sean Cairncross to take over the Office of the …

[45RPM]

Talking out of his arse? Intent on causing the greatest possible harm for the maximum personal gain? He’ll fit right in with the modern GOP.

And the GOP voters won’t care - they lack the faculties for critical thinking to know any better. They’ll believe whatever they’re told as long as what they’re told isn’t evidence based and is done entirely for the ‘feels’.

[MonkeyJuice]

It's all right. Big balls will be able to on-board him in the fine art of leaking in no time.

It's extremely weird and disorienting that I'm agreeing with McConnell regarding Gabbard, but I suppose a broken clock and all that.

[Fruit and Nutcase]

The article that link to gizmodo resolves to states...

Coristine was actually fired from that firm after he leaked “internal information to the [company’s] competitors.”

Somehow I have a feeling there'll be many more incidences like that over the next 4 years - from the top down - though this time, it's not proprietary company information but state secrets of the US of A - to Putin and others who don't have the best interests of the US of A

[Sorry that handle is already taken.]

though this time, it's not proprietary company information but state secrets of the US of A

And not just the state's secrets. By way of example, the previous (conservative) Australian government developed a habit of leaking the personal information of private citizens as a way to threaten and suppress them. We'll no doubt see that kind of thing on a whole new level from this American regime.

[Gary Stewart]

"developed a habit of leaking the personal information of private citizens as a way to threaten and suppress them"

As a proud American I can truthfully say, been there done that for many years. J. Edgar being one of the best examples.

In the process of watching "The Man in the High Castle" again and I love their portrayal of J. Edgar Hoover.

[Sorry that handle is already taken.]

And we probably learned from the best...

The sheer amount of information that people have given up today is something that Hoover could only have dreamed of. Now that the tech bros are kowtowing to or even working with the executive (and, presumably, also the legislature, now apparently merely a vassal of the executive), the possibilities for abuse are endless.

[chivo243]

Coristine was actually fired from that firm after he leaked “internal information to the [company’s] competitors.

There's a mouth piece for you... give him a couple of stiff drinks and get him monologuing, roll tape! Hours later, that's a wrap!!

[cyberdemon]

Up the Cyber without a Paddle ...

[Ken Shabby]

The Chasi

Carry on up the Cyber

[Fruit and Nutcase]

Re: The Chasi

Featuring

The Khasi of Kalabar[Florida]

Bungdit Din[Musk] and his merry band of DOGEies

Where are the Devils in Skirts...

[Groo The Wanderer - A Canuck]

Most likely you are correct on that, unfortunately. When a prior politician made an asinine comment about the Internet being "tubes", they at least had the advantage of it being relatively new, so it was somewhat excusable for them not to know. But this is 2025, not the 90s - even my parents have more grasp of technology than that nowadays.

Musk is little better. I've been programming in the corporate and banking trenches for 25 years out of the 60 I've lived, with sporadic periods of unemployment along the way for health reasons and lack of foresight when contracts were ending. But I do know programming and computer technology rather well at this point in my life. And I know a bullshit artist trying to flummox their way through an interview like the back of my hand!

And Musk is talking crap. That man would not know a data structure from an algorithm if it jumped up and semaphored him, but he's going to "fix" the government IT systems like he "fixed" Xitter. May the Universe save the former United States of America from permanently being the New Nazi States of America under this pair of clowns!

[John Smith 19]

"May the Universe save the former United States of America

from permanently being the New Nazi States of America"

Unfortunately that is what most people would call "Magical thinking."

The only people who can save Americans from the FOCF and Felon are themselves. They're going to have to clean their own house. Starting with recognizing it needs cleaning.

That's not to say that their neighbours can't offer support and assistance. Remind them a)This is who they voted for if you're dealing with a magaott. b)What's the price of groceries looking like now? c)How all those deportations you voted for going. ? Remember those are the things the FOCF banged on about incessantly. It's only right his performance against them be tracked.

The nonsense about Gaza is so much BS from him. The > $500Bn in oil due the people of Palestine is not.

Remember the line from Captain America "The first country the Nazis invaded was their own*"

*But wasn't the last. Something to keep in mind with "Porksword Pete" Hegseth "in charge" of the DoD.

[HuBo]

My understanding is that Vladimir Putin himself picked the bulk of these Office nominees for Trump, and was particularly insistent on having Tulsi "actual Russian propagandist and traitor" Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (seeing how Edward Snowden was unfortunately out of the country ATM)!

[Fruit and Nutcase]

Tulsi Gabbard

Guess she's got the gift of the gab

[drankinatty]

Re: Tulsi Gabbard - "Five-Eyes" develops myopia, fitted with Glasses -- now "Four-Eyes"

"Putin's Girl" as DNI -- what could possibly go wrong? Perhaps our closest allies that make up "Five-Eyes" in intelligence sharing would be wise to hold their cards a bit tighter to the vest until this *bleep*-show is over. Our new Cyber chief likely to be pwned soon, again, what could possibly go wrong. Beam me up Scotty...

[Rafael #872397]

Re: as what they’re told isn’t evidence based and is done entirely for the ‘feels’.

“Because I have common sense, OK?” - Famous Florida Felon

[Gary Stewart]

Re: as what they’re told isn’t evidence based and is done entirely for the ‘feels’.

The only thing common about common sense is that it is not common. And the purveyor of that quote is almost certainly (see below) on the not side.

The only thing that is certain is that nothing is certain.

My brain hurts. And I fear it will only get worse over the next way too slightly less than 4 years.

[Robert 22]

Re: as what they’re told isn’t evidence based and is done entirely for the ‘feels’.

And the people who make the biggest deal about common sense are often the ones most deficient in it.

[drankinatty]

Re: as what they’re told isn’t evidence based and is done entirely for the ‘feels’.

a/k/a "the orange turd", the one who sits silent in the oval office like a turnip watching a kid pick buggers from his nose while Pres Musk delivers and address.

[DanceMan]

Re: common sense

Canada's Conservative PM wannabe's talking points made use of that term. Common sense once said the earth was flat. Reality is generally more complicated.

.

[timrowledge]

Re: common sense

Ah yes, the staggering intellectual perspicacity of Polly Putin. A truss lettuce would serve us better.

[timrowledge]

Re: as what they’re told isn’t evidence based and is done entirely for the ‘feels’.

The thing about ‘common sense’ is that it’s usually neither.

[that one in the corner]

Specializes in political and regulatory litigation

So he will be able to say how far things can be taken whilst still *just* remaining winnable in court against accusations of opening the barn doors wide.

[Pascal Monett]

Re: Specializes in political and regulatory litigation

He is an expert in that.

Responsible for many bankruptcies, never condemned for them.

No wonder he took advantage of his position to launch a jihad against those who finally nailed him to the wall.

[Anonymous Coward]

Rogue Cyber factions

Will the Cyber Director have anything left to direct after Cyber Leader Musk is finished?

MAXIMUM DELETION!

[Sorry that handle is already taken.]

Kakistocracy

The headline could really be generalised to "Trump's <agency head> pick has little experience in <agency's functions>".

It was never about much more than cronyism, with a side order of destroying trust in government systems. Shame too few Americans could see that.

[StewartWhite]

Re: Kakistocracy

Although to be fair to Gabbard she's Putin's stooge whereas Cairncross is all Trump's.

[cmdrklarg]

Re: Kakistocracy

**** a side order of destroying trust in government systems

The GOP has been doing that since Reagan was POTUS ("Government is the problem"). How can they claim "government bad" if they don't do everything in their power to make it that way? Of course, "government bad" is only true when they aren't running it.

[Doctor Syntax]

New approach: appoint a lawyer and sue hackers.

[elsergiovolador]

Keys

Cyber director will need to know where are the gates and how to keep them unlocked for Russians to get in and out as they please.

Exactly the useful idiot Putin needs.

[Confucious2]

Friends

Don’t worry, I’m sure he will be able to ask his Russian and Chinese friends for help.

[Pascal Monett]

"defeat … the weaponization of technology by authoritarian regimes"

So, that's why they're shutting down US Government ?

[Anonymous Coward]

Tulsi Gabbard?

The DEI Hire?

I though they weren't doing that anymore?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Tulsi Gabbard?

Actualy, people like Gabbard and Hegseth are the incompetents hired for other reasons. So the drunk and the bought useful idiot are the DEI hires...

[BartyFartsLast]

Re: Tulsi Gabbard?

Oh I think Hegseth also counts as a useful idiot, according to him Trump is the world's greatest negotiator, in fact Trump's so good he's stopped the war and negotiated a great big chunk of Ukraine for Putin.

What? You thought Trump wasn't on Russia's side?

[timrowledge]

Re: Tulsi Gabbard?

The worst DEI hire; Demented. Evil. Imbecile.

[Potemkine!]

... will come some day. It's sad to see such a great country as the US of A collapses in such a pitiful manner. It will take decades to fix all the things Adolf Trump is destroying if it will ever occur.

[mark l 2]

Trumps nominations are just cronies who will agree to do what he says and none of them seem to realise they are there just to fall on the their swords when things inevitable go tits up and Trump needs someone to blame, because Trump can never make a mistake its always someone elses fault.

[codejunky]

In other news

Biden has had his security clearance revoked as he is a security risk due to his mental state.

And Lindy Li a former Democrat National Committee co-chair has done an interview telling on the White House situation under Biden and his mental decline. Outing it as Obama's 3rd term, that Hunter (the cocaine addicted criminal) sitting in White House meetings without clearance and more.

[codejunky]

Re: In other news

And Trump has spoken to Putin and they are ready to negotiate to end the war! Lets hope the killing can be over.

[Ken G]

Re: In other news

Let's hope the Russian invasion can be over.

[codejunky]

Re: In other news

@Ken G

"Let's hope the Russian invasion can be over."

Agreed

[BartyFartsLast]

Re: In other news

With Ukraine restored to pre invasion borders and the return of the Crimean peninsula

[codejunky]

Re: In other news

@BartyFartsLast

"With Ukraine restored to pre invasion borders and the return of the Crimean peninsula"

That sounds a bit of a pipe dream. Trying to return to pre-2014 borders would probably require the US and Europe to come together to fight Russia with boots on the ground. And hoping that China doesnt decide to jump into the war.

After a lot more death and destruction of possibly another world war the borders in Ukraine might change back but who knows what changes would be made around the world.

[Flocke Kroes]

If your product is really bad, sell it to the governemnt

Sean Cairncross shows what he really understands about cyber: a $400M order for armored Teslas. Presumably he is concerned Trump appointees will be shot at regularly. The truck nuts will be stationary targets when they run out of charge.

[graeme leggett]

A wise man once said

A quote that can be turned on its originator

When Trump sends his nominations, he's not sending the best... ..sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems

[Jedit]

"with no professional experience in that role"

Well, at least Trump is consistent - Gabbard has no experience with intelligence. The political arena hasn't seen someone on her level since Liz Truss.

[Bob Whitcombe]

Did you say Cyber Thief or Cyber Chief?

By cutting Cyber rules and regulation - particularly for crypto companies that are recognized as money laundering vehicles and operating sources for major scams. This only emboldens that effort - which, as we saw the banking de-regulation by Bush, will have deleterious impacts later in the not too distant future.

[Mitoo Bobsworth]

USA

Unfiltered Stupidity of America.

[John Smith 19]

Someone this ignorant of cyber security.....

What's the betting his laptop is full of "interesting"* stuff

*Of the kind agency heads wouldn't like to become common knowledge.

[MachDiamond]

Pfft, lawyers

In general, lawyers are a group with the least skill and comprehension when it comes to anything technical. Perhaps somebody with aspirations to enter that profession is the polar opposite of somebody that will happily fiddle until 4am to get a PCB layout just so and off to the board maker before they have a nap.

The difficulty with hiring for this sort of position is the person needs to have a comprehension of law AND legitimate experience in the field of IT. The worst combination is having somebody that knows just enough of one or the other to be very dangerous. If they don't have one side and understand that they are woefully deficient, they could bring on somebody that can break it down for them that they trust to understand what they don't (like that happens very often).

[Anonymous Coward]

Who even needs to be competent?

Look who they elected supreme leader.

[Groo The Wanderer - A Canuck]

I've started just calling Drumpf the "Pumpkin Hitler" for short. I hear people with big egos just love being laughed at...

[Anonymous Coward]

We should extend it to his henchman Musk. And here's a thought - using IVF to conceive children suggests he may be lacking in the ability to how should we put it, bring gametes together the natural way. Not just compensating with his gender affirming hair transplant.

"hmm hmm has only got one ball, the other is very small"