Posted by
Gabrielle Cusumano on Tuesday, August 04, 2009 10:41:14 AM
Industry officials have voiced frustration at the White House's inability to fill the job. One former government official said 30 people have been interviewed for the position.
Top Cybersecurity Aide At White House Resigns
By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Excerpted from Washington Post at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/03/AR2009080302697_pf.html
The White House's senior aide on cybersecurity has decided to resign following delays in the appointment of a coordinator to spearhead the government's efforts to protect the nation's computer networks.
Melissa E. Hathaway, who also served as a cybersecurity aide during the Bush administration, had been a contender for the position of cybersecurity coordinator. But in an interview Monday, she said she had withdrawn her application.
"I wasn't willing to continue to wait any longer, because I'm not empowered right now to continue to drive the change," she said. "I've concluded that I can do more now from a different role," most likely in the private sector.
Hathaway noted that it has been two months since President Obama made a highly acclaimed speech on the importance of cybersecurity and pledged to "personally" select a cybersecurity coordinator.
A colleague close to Hathaway said she had become dismayed by the delay in the appointment. The colleague, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that Hathaway had "the sense that this was very political, that she has been too closely tied to the Bush administration."
Industry officials have voiced frustration at the White House's inability to fill the job. One former government official said 30 people have been interviewed for the position. Much more of article at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/03/AR2009080302697_pf.html