Microsoft exec hired to secure America's computers

The care of America's computers has been given to a former Microsoft exec

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has hired a former Microsoft executive to ensure that the government's computing infrastructure is secure.

Philip Reitinger, formerly Microsoft's chief trustworthy infrastructure strategist, has been appointed as the new deputy undersecretary at the DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate.

"Phil's background in cyber security and computer crime, coupled with his experience working across the federal government and the private sector to develop innovative security strategies, makes him an asset to our department," said DHS secretary Janet Napolitano.

Reitinger will investigate the computer networks in public and private hands that make up the country's key network infrastructure. The bulk of these run some form of Microsoft software.

However, he will face a difficult task after the comments made last week by Rod Beckström, director of the DHS National Cybersecurity Center, in his resignation letter.

Beckström said that his department had received only five weeks' worth of funding in the past year, and had been engaged in a turf war with the National Security Agency over securing the nation's computer systems.

Reitinger already has extensive government experience. He is currently on the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Advisory Council, and has served as the executive director of the US Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center and as deputy chief of the computer crime and intellectual property division at the Department of Justice.