The Department of Homeland Security has picked a new cyber-security czar.
After a yearlong search, the federal government named former ITAA (Information Technology Association of America) vice president Gregory Garcia to be its overseer for cyber-security in the United States.
According to a statement released Sept. 18 by DHS secretary Michael Chertoff, Garcia will brings the “right mix of experience in government and the private sector” to succeed in the role of Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Telecommunications.
“He has the expertise to focus resources and activities within the cyber and telecommunications communities in a manner that is consistent with our risk-based approach to homeland security,” Chertoff added.
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The department credited Garcia with leading the public debate on cyber-security policy and national cyber-readiness and working closely with the department over the past few years in his role on the IT Sector Coordinating Council.
He also worked with partners in the industry to form the National Cyber Security Partnership.
Garcia helped to draft and enact the Cyber Security Research and Development Act of 2002 during his tenure with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Chertoff added.
In his new role, Garcia will be responsible for two divisions within DHS—the National Communications System and National Cyber Security.
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