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Cyber Czar Job Goes Begging

By Colin Clark Monday, July 20th, 2009 9:38 am
Posted in Cyber Security, Policy, Rumors

Billions of new money to spend. Major new responsibilities at the senior-most reaches of the federal government. Sounds like a pretty good gig, doesn’t it? But as Kevin Coleman reports at Defense Tech, the job of cyber czar just can’t find a taker. One of the obvious problems with the job is that it comes with few operational power levers but is one of those coordinating jobs, complete with a staff slot on the National Security Council. But anyone who takes it will have to contend with the fact that the recently appointed head of Cyber Command will control most of the people and most of the tasks, along with the Department of Homeland Security. Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, NSA director and the new head of Cyber Command is an ebullient and wily player who by all accounts would offer any czar a very difficult target.

Some of our readers know much about this area of endeavor and I’d love to hear what you are hearing about all this.

Kevin’s story follows:

Many have criticized the Obama administration’s use of czars as a power grab, and a way to centralize power within the executive branch without congressional oversight.

Back in May, President Obama announced that he will create a “cyber czar” (cyber security coordinator) position. The Cyber Czar would be one of nearly three dozen czars appointed by the Obama administration in six months. However, unlike the other thirty-four czars, this one remains unfilled. This czar would be a senior White House official with broad authority to develop strategy to protect the nation’s government-run and private information infrastructure and coordinate efforts to protect and defend our nation against cyber attacks.

In addition, the new czar would be a member of the National Security Council and would report to the national security adviser as well as the senior White House economic adviser. The fact that the recent low level cyber skirmishes that took place over the July 4th weekend were able to disrupt a number of government web site operations clearly shows the need for the Cyber Czar. Security experts have all sounded the alarm and raised concerns about the exposure our nation faces when it comes to cyber threats.

Multiple people have been asked to accept the position and so far there were no takers. Ever stop and consider why? Perhaps it is because the position has the responsibility without the authority necessary to make it happen. Others say it is because it is nearly impossible to be successful. My opinion is it is a combination of both.

The administration needs to name a technically and politically knowledgeable and capable Cyber Czar. Lead — follow or get out of the way!

Tags: Commentary

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	C.Fisher July 20th, 2009 at 11:50 am Combine the two jobs and put Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander over them.
	LockMartSkunk July 20th, 2009 at 12:43 pm … i’ll do it
	Charles D Phillips, LtCol, USAF (Ret) July 20th, 2009 at 4:31 pm If LockMartSkunk gets the job, I’ll be his assistant!! But really, let’s get Kevin Coleman to revise his story to say “The Administration needs to actually follow the Constitution and the regulatory modifications — and hand this job over to an existing Cabinet officer or to an existing Federal department. Stop creating more mahogany offices filled with people that wear suits and spend their time arguing over authority.” Presidents always try to create a new layer of bureaucrats that are loyal to them, over time these positions are changed to require confirmation, and a new layer is created.
	cfish July 21st, 2009 at 11:25 am I’ll take it :0)
	Dr Dan July 21st, 2009 at 5:43 pm You must be kidding. Anything is possible, even the Cyber Zar challenge. If called upon I’d do it and, with the Team, make it work as well. Nothing gets done without considerable negotiation, ethical give & take, and a few Goals & Objectives thrown in for good measure. Some people are passing up the opportunity to improve the cyber environment for fear of failure. Dr Dan
	BuddhalovesPaine July 21st, 2009 at 8:10 pm Does any work that we can really believe in ever get done in.….….….….…..
	ET July 22nd, 2009 at 1:39 pm Well it is true. Who would want a job that darn right all but spells “fall guy” if something goes widely wrong specific to DOD security, Top U.S. Government Agencies, Power plants, communications facilitites or even economic/financial institutes all because someone could not give the order to lock off and lock out all normal comms via PC’s and Internet. I think even coded URL’s and failsafe switching URL’s are important to safeguard against (WWIII) “world wide interconnected internet infrustructures” pertaining to security and computers of high significant security breaching and control by cyber warriors. Myself even with the knowledge and abilities would not take any job whereby the outcome is “death by ignorance”.
	RJ July 22nd, 2009 at 10:32 pm Another government boondoggle in search of shepherd. Call Chertoff, I think he’s available. Sorry Barry. The genie’s out of the bottle, enjoy the show.
	Big Brother September 1st, 2009 at 8:29 pm No one wants to be the Cyber Czar. The position will require the Czar to break our 1st and 4th amendment rights and it will surely be a position similar to the director of the KGB. Bill 773 written by Senator Jay Rockefeller and Olympia Snow is poorly written. It does not cover what is a “Cyber Emergency” nor does it cover in depth of how far into privacy invasion the government is willing to go to have this “Shutdown” capability. The position of Cyber Czar is overwhelming. Due to poor planning by the Obama administration, they have created a position, that no one wants. However be very watchful of the person who offers to take the position, they will be the next Big Brother. 1984now.org