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Bush Names New Cyber Security Czar

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the this-oughta-be-good dept.

goombah99 writes "The Washington Post reports that Cybersecurity "czar" Richard Clarke has confirmed widespread reports that he is leaving the White House, to be replaced by former microsoft security chief Howard Schmidt. He was also part of the Air Force's 'Computer Crime and Information Warfare division'. In related news, the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace has received Bush's signature and will be released to the public in the next few weeks. Clark's blunt staements on the to the need to avoid erosion of privacy rights is rumored to have rubbed the administration the wrong way, prompting his exit. Anyone know how Schmitt will view the relative security of closed versus open source?" Nothing says "Security" better to me than "Former Microsoft Security Chief".

2 of 259 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting. because by Sh0t · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've worked for the Dept of the Navy for 6 years now,4 years as an active marine and 2 for a navy contractor and I've seen a trend in the Navy/MC away from microsoft products and their consultation.

    But then again, it doesn't mean that everything will be MS because he's a former MS officer, but it is more than possible. If anything he may have a VERY humble attitude toward things because I'm sure he's been the brunt of many criticisms from his past post.

    It's no secret MS has had problems with security.

    But I wonder what this will mean for upcoming copyright and piracy issues involving computer software and the like. Since he comes from a company where the doctrine is pretty strict in terms of copyrighting and such, we will see a severe change in the laws?

    "Clark's blunt staements on the to the need to avoid erosion of privacy rights is rumored to have rubbed the administration the wrong way, prompting his exit"

    Well if the previous guy was removed because he was in favor of keeping privacy rights a concern, this may indeed be the case.

    Overall, I can't say this is a good sign.

    Excuse my above ramblings, I have strep throat and it's driving me crazy.

  2. Alarming related news by mysticgoat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Quoting the last five (short) paragraphs of the story:

    The White House has so far been unable to fill top leadership posts at the Homeland Security department's division charged with protecting the Internet and other communications systems from attacks.

    The administration's first choice to run the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Division was former Defense Intelligence Agency Director James Clapper.

    Clapper, a retired Air Force lieutenant and the head of the National Imagery and Mapping Center, unexpectedly pulled his name from consideration.

    John Tritak, former director of the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office and pegged as the administration's pick for deputy undersecretary for infrastructure protection at the Homeland Security Department, is still a name under consideration, though he recently left the government.

    Another noted name in online security, Ron Dick, director of the FBI's cyber threat and warning bureau, has also resigned from government service.

    Is anyone else disturbed by the way first choice candidates seem to be running away from any involvement with government internet security?