White House Cyber Meeting Stresses Partnerships

Yesterday, President Barack Obama and several key officials met with members of the private sector to discuss the progress of cybersecurity efforts in the past year. Chaired by White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt, the meeting also included Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance (ISA), also attended…

What’s In and Out in 2010

The past year has seen a variety of issues arise throughout the cyber security community. As we look into the New Year, here are our predictions surrounding what will be “in” and what will be “out” in 2010.

In

Social Networking on DoD Networks

In 2009, the DoD banned social networking technologies on its networks, for fear of security risks. The DoD…

‘We don’t need a eunuch’ as Cyber Czar says Rep. David Wu

During a recent interview with GovInfoSecurity.com, Rep. David Wu said “If we’re going to have someone, we don’t need a cybersecurity eunuch; we need someone who has a little bit more oomph to get the job done.” Wu wants the concept to go in one of two directions: either drop the concept all together or give the position the requisite power and authority needed to be effective.

Wu’s…

Acting Cyber Czar Says White House is not Behind in Cyber

The current acting Cyber Security Coordinator at the White House, Chris Painter, recently responded to the growing criticism targeting the White House’s inability to fill the position permanently. At the Federal Chief Information Officers Council’s 2009 Federal Identity Management and Cybersecurity Conference on Tuesday, he said “It’s a mistake to think that without a coordinator we’re not making progress,” according to an article on govinfosecurity.com.

Currently, Painter conducts…

Still Waiting on Cyber Czar

It has now been close to 6 months since President Barack Obama announced the creation of the position of cyber coordinator.

Obama took the dramatic step of declaring cybersecurity as a national priority and yet, still no coordinator.

The two front runners (presently) are Howard Schmidt and Frank Kramer. Sources familiar with the discussions and search for the coordinator claim Obama will be announcing the coordinator soon,…

National Journal’s Shane Harris: Issues in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is one of most important issues being discussed in national security. Since…

DHS Can Hire 1000 Cyber Professionals

On Thursday, Janet Napolitano announced DHS has been authorized to hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity professionals.

The remarks came at the kick off meeting for National Cyber Security Awareness Month.The new hires will be distributed throughout DHS as Napolitano looks to make the department a premier center for cybersecurity knowledge.

Napolitano told the audience she is looking to bring in the new personnel within a maximum of three years,…

October is Cyber Awareness Month

Lack of Cyber Czar Criticized

The chairs of the House Cybersecurity Caucus urged President Barack Obama to appoint a “cyber czar” quickly. In the letter dated last week, Rep. Michael McCaul (R.-TX) and Rep. James Langevin (D.-RI) highlighted Obama’s failure to successfully appoint a candidate to head cybersecurity issues.

The letter pointed to two major issues stressed by the December 2008 Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th President, namely that a national strategy…

Cyber ‘Czar’ Position of Concern to Langevin

Jim Langevin (D) Congressman from Rhode Island has expressed concern over the delay in selecting a cybersecurity “czar.” Speculation on who will be appointed to the position has resumed since Melissa Hathaway, acting senior director of Cybersecurity under the White House National Security Council, has announced her resignation. She was being considered for the permanent role.

Langevin is chair of the House Cybersecurity Caucus and co-chair of the CSIS…