President Barack Obama named Howard Schmidt as the new White House cybersecurity coordinator on Dec. 22, 2009. The job includes responsibility for coordinating cybersecurity activities across the government. In addition to national security matters, Schmidt will also coordinate cybersecurity issues that encourage economic growth and commerce.
Schmidt was a cybersecurity adviser to President George W. Bush and held top security positions for Microsoft and eBay.
But Schmidt does not completely fulfill the terms of Obama's pledge, because Schmidt will not report directly to Obama. Instead, Schmidt will report to deputy national security adviser John O. Brennan. We should note that the announcement said Schmidt would "have regular access to the President and serve as a key member of his National Security Staff." So we rate this promise Compromise.
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← Back to Create a national cyber adviser to coordinate security of electronic infrastructure
Coordinator named, but does not report directly to the president
Our Sources
The White House, Introducing the New Cybersecurity Coordinator , Dec. 22, 2009
The Washington Post, Obama names Howard Schmidt as cybersecurity coordinator , Dec. 22, 2009