Calls Increase for Cyber Coordinator

This was written by Michael Cheek on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 10:34.

TechAmerica has joined in calling on the Obama administration to quickly appoint someone to the position of cyber coordinator. The calls for someone to be appointed to the position have increased in the past month, with members of Congress joining the fray.

Phil Bond, the president of TechAmerica wrote an open letter to President Obama requesting his “attention to the appointment of a cybersecurity coordinator in the White House at the earliest possible opportunity.” Back in May 2009, President Obama set cyber security as a national priority and stated his intent to create the position of a cyber coordinator to facilitate cooperation on cyber security throughout the government. Since that announcement, the majority of the premier candidates for the position, including Melissa Hathaway, have resigned. Current speculation is that Frank Kramer may be appointed to the position. Administration officials insist that they are searching for the right person to fill the position and that cyber security is not suffering due to the lack of a coordinator.