Former White House Cyber Director Outlines Five-Point Infrastructure Plan for U.S. Economic Renaissance

Joshua Steinman, a former Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Cyber on the National Security Council staff (2017-2021) and co-founder of industrial cybersecurity firm Galvanick, recently articulated a strategic vision for an "American Renaissance" centered on critical infrastructure development. In a social media post, Steinman outlined key elements he believes are essential for national economic revitalization and resilience.

"Recipe for an American Renaissance. This plus: a deep water port, highly automated piers, a good airport with strong logistics backbone for both passenger and cargo flights, a good railhead, reasonable & QUICK permitting for energy and industrial."

Steinman's proposal emphasizes integrated and efficient logistics. His call for deep water ports and highly automated piers directly addresses long-standing challenges in U.S. maritime infrastructure, such as accommodating larger Post-Panamax vessels and reducing congestion. Current efforts, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are channeling significant funds into modernizing ports and improving their capacity through automation and digital transformation.

The vision extends to air and rail, advocating for airports with robust logistics capabilities for both passenger and cargo, alongside well-developed railheads. This aligns with a broader national trend towards enhancing multimodal freight strategies and developing inland ports to streamline supply chains and alleviate pressure on coastal gateways. Efficient rail connections are crucial for moving goods across the country, complementing port and air cargo operations.

A critical component of Steinman's "recipe" is "reasonable & QUICK permitting for energy and industrial" projects. The U.S. currently faces significant hurdles in project development due to complex and lengthy permitting processes, which can delay essential energy and industrial infrastructure for years. Discussions around permitting reform, including proposals for "permit-by-rule" and reducing judicial review timelines, are ongoing in policy circles to accelerate construction and foster economic growth.

Overall, Steinman's framework underscores the interconnectedness of modern infrastructure. His background in national security and industrial cybersecurity informs a perspective that views robust, efficient, and rapidly deployable infrastructure as foundational to both economic prosperity and strategic advantage in an evolving global landscape.