White House names Schmidt new cyber security coordinator

The White House on Tuesday named Howard Schmidt the White House cyber security coordinator.

Observers have waited for the announcement for months. Obama announced the creation of the office in May, and Melissa Hathaway, who had filled the post on an interim basis, resigned in August.

The White House said in a post on the White House blog that Schmidt would take over the position. “Howard will have the important responsibility of orchestrating the many important cyber security activities across the government,” wrote John Brennan, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism.

He said Schmidt will have regular access to President Barack Obama and will serve as a key member of the national security staff. Schmidt will also work closely with Obama’s economic team to ensure cyber security efforts keep the nation secure and prosperous.

The administration received a reminder of the importance of cyber security on Tuesday when The Wall Street Journal reported the FBI was investigating hackers who stole millions from Citigroup.

The report said the thieves were a part of a Russian cyber gang. Federal authorities declined to comment to the Journal. Citibank denied that it had suffered losses, saying a report that the FBI was investigating a case at Citigroup involving tens of millions of dollars is not true.

The Journal reports that the theft was detected over the summer but could have occurred months earlier, or even last year.

Schmidt was appointed by then-President George W. Bush as a special adviser for cyberspace security after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He is a longtime public servant who directed the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Schmidt is also a former employee of Microsoft, where he served as director of information security, chief information security officer and chief security officer. He most recently served as the president of the Information Security Forum.

When Obama announced he would create the position of a cyber security coordinator, he said he would depend on the official on all matters relating to cyber security. He also said the official would have his full support and regular access to the Oval Office.

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