Howard Schmidt, a former Microsoft and eBay executive, has taken the position and aptly made a video broadcast via the White House’s website to announce his intentions while in the job.
Mr Schmidt, who previously served under President George W Bush for three years - assessing network security options, is focussing on: “developing a new comprehensive strategy to secure American networks, ensuring an organised, unified response to future cyber incidents, strengthening public/private partnerships, promoting research and development for the next generation of technologies and leading a national campaign for cybersecurity, awareness and education", according to his webcast, as per President Obama’s directions.
In May 2009, President Obama promised to personally appoint someone to the role and it is understood Mr Schmidt took on the job after several others turned it down.
His appointment has been praised by the security community – despite the frustration caused by the lengthy recruitment process. Ken Silva, the chief technology officer of VeriSign and someone who has known Mr Schmidt for around eight years, told BBC News: "While I am disappointed that it has taken this long, I am happy the government spent the time to get the right person for the job. What he brings to this job is the right level of senior government experience and industry experience. That is something that is hard to find.
"Before getting down to the technology challenges, he has to establish himself within government and industry in this new role.”
Mr Schmidt will be a key member of the National Security Staff and have regular access to the President, according to John Brennan, assistant to the President for homeland security and counterterrorism.
