# OpenAI hires former White House official to lead cyber risk policy

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-10-02T14:57:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-hires-former-white-house-official-to-lead-cyber-risk-policy

## Summary

Lind previously served at the **Office of National Cybersecurity and Communications** from April 2025 to June 2026, most recently as head of policy and senior advisor to the director, per his LinkedIn profile. The team is led by **Sasha Baker**, a former deputy undersecretary of defense for policy during the Biden administration.

Baker told *The Information* that Lind’s hire reflects OpenAI’s focus on national security challenges posed by AI. Lind had reportedly planned to leave ONCD in June to spend more time with his family, according to *Politico*. The report also notes a wave of departures from White House tech policy roles following President Donald Trump’s June AI executive order.

## Key points

- OpenAI’s national security team is led by Sasha Baker, a former Biden administration official

## Why it matters

The hire signals OpenAI’s proactive engagement with US regulators amid growing scrutiny of AI’s national security and consumer risks.

## Sources

1. [OpenAI Hires Former White House Cyber Official as Regulators Probe AI Dangers](https://pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/openai-hires-former-white-house-cyber-official-regulators-probe-ai-dangers) (pymnts.com, 2026-10-02)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI hires former White House official to lead cyber risk policy", 2 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-hires-former-white-house-official-to-lead-cyber-risk-policy

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