DHS names Philip Reitinger cybersecurity center director
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary Janet Napolitano announced on Monday that Philip Reitinger will take over as the new director of the National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC). The NCSC's last director resigned abruptly earlier this year due to concerns about military control of cybersecurity.
Napolitano said Reitinger, who is currently the deputy under secretary for DHS's National Protection and Programs Directorate and formerly worked on IT security for Microsoft, will hold both positions simultaneously - "to provide broader strategic direction."
The announcement came just days after President Obama unveiled his administration's cybersecurity policy review. Obama has yet to name the new cybersecurity coordinator, a high-level position that will be located inside the White House.
"This is a crucial time to strengthen the core of our cybersecurity leadership team," Napolitano said in the announcement. "Centralizing our cybersecurity efforts under Phil's leadership will help create a unified DHS as we continue to adapt to an ever-changing array of threats."
The previous NCSC director, Rod Beckstrom, stirred up controversy when he suggested in his resignation letter that the National Security Agency had dominated civilian agencies in the area of cybersecurity.
Related News:
Cyber criminals exposed medical records - 3.8.2010
More than 18,000 patients, whose medical information is stored on the computer systems of five doctors in Torrance, California, were potential victims of identity theft in September when cyber criminals penetrated the doctors' networks, according to the Los Angeles Times.
McAfee advises companies to boost web security relating to source code - 3.4.2010
At the RSA Conference, currently taking place in San Francisco, McAfee released a report indicating that companies regularly use too few web security protocols when protecting intellectual property such as source code.
False social networking attacks provides teachable moment for web security - 2.25.2010
A unique tool developed to prevent the spread of malware from social networking websites has been recommended Processor.com, a web and network security news provider.
With global web security under siege, exports point to problems - 2.25.2010
In 2009, Garlik, a United Kingdom-based web security company, reported a 207 percent increase in malware use to overtake bank accounts. Recent events have also shown vulnerability in corporate, private and governmental web security systems.
Kaspersky reports malware growing more sophisticated - 2.24.2010
Kaspersky, a web security provider, reported Wednesday that while there is very little growth in the amount of malware currently roaming the web, it is becoming more advanced and much harder to detect.
|
