Former Microsoft man named US cybersecurity czar

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 23 Dec 2009 at 09:52

President Obama has finally named his cybersecurity coordinator.

The job goes to Howard Schmidt, the former chief security officer of Microsoft and vice president for security at eBay. Schmidt also served the Bush administration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Howard will have regular access to the President and serve as a key member of his National Security Staff

"Howard is one of the world’s leading authorities on computer security, with some 40 years of experience in government, business and law enforcement," John O'Brennan, assistant to the President for homeland security and counterterrorism, writes in a White House blog post.

"Howard will have regular access to the President and serve as a key member of his National Security Staff. He will also work closely with his economic team to ensure that our cybersecurity efforts keep the nation secure and prosperous."

The US Government is using the appointment to remind citizens what they can do to help preserve the nation's cybersecurity. The post urges Americans to keep their software updated, stay on the lookout for phishing attacks and to guard their personal details online.