Sean Cairncross, in remarks at a summit, also said the United States needs to send a stronger message that Chinese cyberattacks are unwelcome.

The annual implementation report recommends reversing Trump administration budget cuts, empowering the national cyber director and other steps.

The letter to Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee leaders comes shortly before they consider his nomination.

The 40-member panel has suggestions for whoever wins, from how to handle regulations to deterring malicious hackers.

Deterring U.S. adversaries from attacking American infrastructure requires making clear that the United States can strike back in kind. 

The influential commission has seen around 70% of its initial recommendations to improve cybersecurity implemented.

Experts call for improvements to space cybersecurity as sectors such as energy, agriculture and finance rely more on satellite networks.

Attacks against critical infrastructure are reaching new heights, but strategy documents outlining federal efforts are a decade old.

The co-chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission say a permanent director is needed to implement the national cybersecurity strategy.

The influential Cyberspace Solarium Commission is calling for space systems to be the 17th critical infrastructure sector.