Senate Intel Committee staff director nominated as NCSC head

Senate Intelligence Committee Staff Director Michael Casey has been nominated by President Joe Biden to lead the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, replacing Acting Chief Michael Orlando, who fulfilled the position for almost two and a half years before going into retirement last month, according to The Record, a news site by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future. Part of the Senate intelligence panel since 2016, Casey was noted to have the necessary intelligence know-how, with extensive awareness of foreign cyberespionage threats brought upon by China. Investigation into Russia's attacks during the 2016 U.S. elections has also been led in part by Casey. Casey has been regarded by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to be an "excellent choice" for the position. "We would be lucky to have him leading the intelligence communitys work on some of the most fundamental and critical issues and threats we face," said Haines. Meanwhile, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner, D-Va., also noted that Casey is the best fit to lead the NCSC.