Network Security News

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.