At Long Last, A Cyber Security Czar
Just today I was reading about my friend and client, Paul Kurtz of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance, as he testified on the Hill about the ongoing absence of a cyber security czar:
He also noted the absence of DHS [Department of Homeland Security] leadership in cyber security and the fact that there is no plan for preventing or minimizing a major cyber disaster. Kurtz specifically pointed to the need to fill the position of assistant secretary for cybersecurity and telecommunications, a post that has been empty for the 14 months since its creation.
Tonight, Reuters reports that someone was listening:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security named its first cyber security czar on Monday, filing a job that had been vacant since it was created a year ago.
Information security policy expert Gregory Garcia was appointed assistant secretary for cyber security and telecommunications, Homeland Security Michael Chertoff said in a statement.
Democrats have criticized the Bush administration for taking too long to fill the post at a time when viruses, worms and other attacks on business computers are on the rise.
A primary responsibility of the job is to help to guard against catastrophic attacks that could cripple the U.S. economy.
About one-fourth of America’s economic value — or some $3 trillion — moves over network connections each day and may be vulnerable to cyber attacks, according to the Internet Security Alliance.
Prior to joining the Department of Homeland Security, Garcia worked for the Information Technology Association of America, serving as the industry group’s vice president for information security policy and programs.
