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Homeland Security Adds Cybersecurity Position

Posted by Zonk on from the sounds-futuristic dept.

Matimus writes "Information Week has a story about the new Cybersecurity position in the Department of Homeland Security. They have stated IT management is one of their six major concerns." From the article: "Homeland Security's decision to create an assistant secretary for cybersecurity and telecommunications is expected to be well received by Congress and IT advocates calling for better use of technology in securing the country's physical and virtual borders. In May, the House of Representatives passed a $34 billion budget for Homeland Security that called for elevating the nation's head cybersecurity official to assistant secretary status."

3 of 153 comments (clear)

  1. America doesn't have any virtual boarders by Weaselmancer · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...otherwise how in the world can we arrest an Australian for software piracy???

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    Weaselmancer
    rediculous.
  2. This actually is a BIG DEAL... by nweaver · · Score: 4, Informative

    The previous cybersecurity position in the DHS (where the directors had the job expectation of a Drummer in Spinal Tap) was several rungs lower on the totem pole.

    Making it an assistant secretary position is a big increase in authority, which should (hopefully) translate into some significant action.

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    Test your net with Netalyzr
  3. Cyberfoo by GileadGreene · · Score: 3, Informative
    Can I just mention that I think the term "Cybersecurity" is stupid. Really, really stupid. really, really, really stupid. Actually, that goes for all the other Cyber- stuff that seems to pervade the internet these days too.

    "Cyber" is derived from the Greek word for "pilot", or "controller". Norbert Wiener introduced the term into English when he started talking about "Cybernetics" - which was his term for complex feedback control systems (Cyber. Control systems. Kinda makes sense, huh?). How we morphed from Wiener's original usage to the current fad for prefixing "Cyber" onto some random word in order to make it seem computer-related (not even control-related!) is beyond me. Although I'm sure William Gibson deserves a pretty large portion of the blame.