Obama to appoint cybersecurity chief

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 29 May 2009 at 17:42

President Barack Obama says he will appoint a top cybersecurity official to the White House following the release of a report that recommends how to safeguard the US's cyber network.

"Cyberspace is real and so are the risks that come with it," the President claims.

The tech industry has pushed for a cybersecurity official to be in the White House to assure access to the president.

However, the president says his administration will not dictate cybersecurity standards for private companies.

The cybersecurity review, headed by Melissa Hathaway, urges the president to name a White House coordinator to oversee cybersecurity. It also claims the private sector must be involved.

"Now our virtual world is going viral," says Obama. "We have only begun to explore the next generation of technologies that will transform our lives in ways we can't even begin imagine. So a new world awaits, a world of greater security and greater potential prosperity if we reach for it, if we leap."

Holes in US cybersecurity defences have allowed major incidents of theft of personal identity, money, intellectual property and corporate secrets.