Administration to establish major office for cyber matters

January 26, 2009

President Barack Obama plans to name a a high official for cyber matters

who would report directly to the president, greatly increase funding for

interoperable first responder communications and spend $5 billion in

global counterterrorism cooperation, as part of his homeland security

agenda .

The 44-item homeland security agenda, which contains many items promoted

during Obama's campaign, was released on the Whitehouse.gov Web site

Jan. 22.

The document outlines goals to fight terrorism, safeguard against

nuclear threats and biothreats, secure information networks, improve

counterterrorism intelligence and modernize critical infrastructure

Obama intends to establish the position of a national cyber adviser who

would report directly to the president. The adviser would be responsible

for coordinating federal agency efforts and development of national

cyber policy.

The Obama administration plans to coordinate with the private sector to

establish "tough new standards" for cybersecurity and to protect

personal data on information technology networks, the document states.

The protections would include requirements to disclose unauthorized

breaches of personal information.

To advance interoperable communications for first responders, Obama

intends to name a national chief technology officer "to ensure that the

current non-interoperable plans at the federal, state, and local levels

are combined, funded, implemented and effective." It was not immediately

clear whether this would be the same position as the anticipated federal

chief technology officer.

The administration also said it will develop a national critical

infrastructure protection and resiliency plan for critical

infrastructure.

The homeland security agenda supports the "virtual and physical

infrastructure and manpower" needed to secure the nation's borders. The

Customs and Border Protection's Secure Border Initiative Network

"virtual fence" project on the border of the United States and Mexico

border is projected to begin permanent construction in March. The system

is comprised of cameras and sensors strung on towers.

**

Federal Computer Week

Recommended Posts