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Microsoft chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates will outline Microsofts end-to-end homeland security strategy on Wednesday during a one-day conference, “IT Leadership in a Security-Focused World” in Washington, D.C.
The conference is being co-sponsored by the Information Technologoy Industry (ITI) Council and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
IBMs senior VP for technology and manufacturing, Nick Donofrio, also is slated to keynote the event.
Panelists are slated to focus on “building networks that facilitate information share and compatibility; populating networks with critical data; and federal prioritizing of cyber security,” according to the CSIS Web site. Gates is on tap to speak about the role technology can play in cyber security, homeland security and privacy, the Web site adds.
Last fall, Microsoft appointed retired coast guard commander Thomas Richey, an aide to Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) as the companys federal director of homeland security.
Earlier this month, Microsoft unveiled a new security-specific certification program for Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers. Microsoft said the new certification is aimed at helping build a pool of IT professionals qualified to work on projects like Homeland Security.
In related news, Microsoft announced on Monday that it has filled its vacant chief-privacy-strategist position. Peter Cullen, corporate privacy officer for Royal Bank of Canada, will join Microsoft on July 14 in that role. Cullen will report to Scott Charney, Microsofts chief security strategist, whose title is now chief trustworhy computing strategist. Charney had been filling in as acting chief privacy strategist.
