Microsoft Exec May Be Obama's Cyber-Czar Pick

Scott Charney, head of Microsoft's cyber-security division, and Paul Kurtz, who led Obama's cyber-security transition team, are heading the list to serve as President Obama's new cyber-security czar, according to Reuters.

Citing unnamed sources, Reuters also said former Rep. Tom Davis, Sun Microsystems executive Susan Landau, NSA and FBI veteran Maureen Baginski, and former Assistant Secretary of Defense Frank Kramer are on the Obama short list. Melissa Hathaway, who led a cyber-security review for the president, and James Lewis of the Center for Strategic and International Studies are also under consideration.

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Speculation has swirled through Washington over the new cyber-czar since May 29 when Obama unveiled Hathaway's review (PDF) and pledged to create a cyber-security adviser with access to the White House.

"Because of the critical importance of this work, I will personally select this official. I'll depend on this official in all matters relating to cyber-security, and this official will have my full support and regular access to me as we confront these challenges," Obama said in the speech.  

The cyber-security review said the United States needs to strike a balance between ensuring security and protecting civil liberties. In addition to building a framework for incident response, the report calls for encouraging innovation in the security industry, promoting security awareness and building up the federal IT work force.

"From now on our digital infrastructure, the networks and computers we depend on everyday, will be treated as they should be—as a strategic national asset," Obama said at a news conference. "Protecting this infrastructure will be a national security priority. We will ensure that these networks are secure, trustworthy and resilient."