National Cybersecurity Center

The National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) is an office within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created in March 2008, and is based on the requirements of National Security Presidential Directive 54/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23 (NSPD-54/HSPD-23), reporting directly to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.^[1][2] The NCSC is tasked with protecting the U.S. Government’s communications networks. The Center will monitor, collect and share information on systems belonging to NSA, FBI, DoD, and DHS.

The first Director appointed to head the Center was Rod Beckstrom, a successful entrepreneur and co-author of The Starfish and the Spider. On March 5, 2009, Beckstrom tendered his resignation as the Director of National Cybersecurity Center.^[3] According to the Washington Post, Beckstrom resigned, "...due to a lack of resources and because there were efforts underway to fold his group -- as well as the division Reitinger is joining -- into a facility at the NSA." On March 11, 2009, Phil Reitinger, then at Microsoft, was appointed to the position.^[4]

Cyber Security Director

Phil Reitinger, Deputy Under Secretary of the National Protection and Programs Directorate, is a former Microsoft C-level executive, has been appointed to this position (Senate confirmation is not required). The position reports to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. (This is not the same as the White House cyber security coordinator, Howard Schmidt.)

Mission - A National Security Priority

The NCSC has not officially published their mission; however, the Center’s priority is to protect the US Government’s computer and communication systems from domestic and foreign threats. The federal government has designated this as a National Security Priority, one of our highest national priorities.

US President's Cyber Security Policy Review - June 2009

The White House published a Cyber Security Policy Review [1], however the NCSC is not explicitly mentioned in that document.

National Program Office

In coordination with the United States Department of Commerce, the White House cybersecurity office, announced on January 7, 2011 that it will create an office within the commerce department that is devoted to helping the development of technologies or platforms that will eventually allow sensitive online transactions to be carried out with greater levels of trust.

The new office is called the National Program Office and its primary duty is to coordinate the federal activities necessary to carry out the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC), a White House initiative dedicated to making the Internet a more secure environment for consumers. ^[5]

Notes

1. ^ "The Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative". US Government. http://www.whitehouse.gov/cybersecurity/comprehensive-national-cybersecurity-initiative. Retrieved 6 January 2011. 
2. ^ "Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the Appointment of the Director of the National Cyber Security Center". http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1206047924712.shtm. 
3. ^ "Director of Federal Cybersecurity resigns over NSA dominance". http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/41669/108/. Retrieved 6 January 2011. 
4. ^ "Microsoft Executive Tapped For Top DHS Cyber Post". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/03/11/microsoft_executive_tapped_for.html. Retrieved 6 January 2011. 
5. ^ PC Mag. New Govt Office to Help Create 'Trusted Digital Identities'

See also