Schmidt returns to the White House

Schmidt was previously cyber security advisor to the Bush administration

Former White House cyber security advisor and president of the Information Security Forum Howard Schmidt has been chosen by the Obama administration to return to the White House in the new role of cyber security coordinator.

Schmidt, who was cyber security advisor to President Bush, is a well respected figure in the industry and will be a popular appointment. He has previously held roles as chief security officer at Microsoft and chief information security officer at eBay.

In recognition of the key role that information security plays in the modern state, Schmidt will have regular access to Obama and “serve as a key member of his National Security Staff”, according to John Brennan, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism.

“The very email you are reading underscores our dependence on information technologies in this digital age, which is why it seemed like a fitting way to announce that the President has chosen Howard Schmidt to be the White House Cybersecurity Coordinator,” wrote Brennan in a posting on the White House blog.

“Howard will have the important responsibility of orchestrating the many important cybersecurity activities across the government. He will also work closely with his economic team to ensure that our cybersecurity efforts keep the Nation secure and prosperous.”