The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has
launched a cybersecurity centre.
The 60-person National Cyber Security Division will report to
Robert Liscouski, the assistant secretary of homeland security for
infrastructure protection, and will be part of the department's
information analysis and infrastructure protection directorate.
DHS is looking for a person to head the division who will have
similar responsibilities to the former cybersecurity tsar at the
White House.
The head of the division "would be the person whose sole focus
in terms of infrastructure protection is cyber", said David Wray, a
DHS spokesman.
The division is focused on reducing the vulnerabilities to the
US government's computing networks and working with the private
sector to help protect other critical pieces of cyberspace.
William Harrod, director of investigative response for security
software supplier TruSecure, questioned the position of the
division within DHS.
"I think it downgrades the visibility of the position within the
administration," Harrod said. "For organisations that want to
follow someone who's carrying the banner of cybersecurity, it's a
lower profile position."
With the apparently lower profile of cybersecurity within the
Bush administration, Harrod said he is worried that there may be a
decreased emphasis on pursuing cybercriminals.
"It's sending the message to big business that this isn't a high
priority," he said.
"They're not going to have ability to generate the sway or have
the leadership or commitment ... as they had with a cyberspace tsar
who reported directly to Bush."
Alan Paller, research director at the information security
researcher SANS Institute, said the division will have the
resources to go after cybercrime, whereas former White House
cybersecurity tsar Richard Clarke had few resources to do much.
If DHS wanted to downplay cybersecurity, it would bury the
division under its physical terrorism division, Paller said, but
this move makes cybersecurity an equal player.
"I don't think this move says the Bush administration is
soft-pedaling cybercrime," Paller added. "This act today in no way
confirms that. It looks to be moving in the other direction."
Robert Holleyman, president and chief executive officer of the
Business Software Alliance, also welcomed the announcement. He
said improving cyberspace security will require a long-term,
aggressive public-private partnership.
"We all have a responsibility to make this work," Holleyman
added. "Meeting the information security challenge is not just the
job of the government, it is everyone's job. Industry and
government can set the example by making sure that this issue is
addressed at the top level of every organisation."
Grant Gross writes for IDG News Service