Microsoft exec appointed to DHS post
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Wednesday she is naming a Microsoft executive to be in charge of protecting the U.S. government's computing systems.
Napolitano has appointed Philip Reitinger to be deputy undersecretary for the department's National Protection and Programs Directorate, where he will be responsible for protecting federal computing systems from domestic and foreign threats. Reitinger currently serves as Chief Trustworthy Infrastructure Strategist at Microsoft.
"Phil's background in cybersecurity 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," Napolitano said in a statement.
In his role at Microsoft, where he is responsible for protecting information technology infrastructure, Reitinger has worked closely with government agencies and other private partners on cybersecurity protection programs.
Reitinger also has experience in the public sector. He formerly served as the executive director of the Defense Department's Cyber Crime Center, which provides electronic forensic services and supports cyberinvestigations. Before that, he was deputy chief of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property division at the Justice Department. Reitinger also sits on the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Advisory Council, which advises the FEMA administrator on cybersecurity.
Reitinger's appointment comes a week after Rod Beckstrom, director of the DHS National Cybersecurity Center, resigned because of what he perceives as attempts by the National Security Agency to control DHS cyberefforts. The National Cybersecurity Center falls under the jurisdiction of the National Protection and Programs Directorate, so Reitinger will be responsible for replacing Beckstrom, according to DHS spokesperson Amy Kudwa.
Another Microsoft executive with government experience, Microsoft Vice President Scott Charney, echoed Beckstrom's comments on Tuesday telling Congress that the cybersecurity mission does not belong in the hands of the NSA.
"It's really important to empower DHS to take the necessary operational role," he said.
Stephanie Condon is a staff writer for CNET News focused on the intersection of technology and politics. She is based in Washington, D.C. E-mail Stephanie. 
How is it called when the government and big corps are in bed and execs in the private sector "serve" in the government for a few years and then go back to their private employer afterward?
So, how will the license fees be negotiated? Will we see a situation where a former MS exec is in charge of negotiating with current MS execs? Wow! I'm sure the taxpayers will get their money's worth on this one.
1. Microsoft isn't big on the whole cyber security scene so I doubt there's much he can bring with him.
2. The post isn't CIO, he working for the National Protection and Programs Directorate. I doubt he'll have any say on what productivity apps the goverment uses.
3. How can you bring in an "expert" if they've never worked in the industry? Just because the guy works for Microsoft doesn't make him inherently evil.
but the US Gov ALREADY does buy almost exclusively MS. there are a few linux/unix boxes here and there where they're absolutely needed, but other than that its windows all around.
Did you really mean "other than that its windows (Code-Base OS/2) all around...."; and, after all, with the Russians relying on OS/2 "From (IBM) With Love" there will most naturally be the "SAMBA" Protocol Officials to smooth running of things. Too bad for the Tuxedo Clad Birds (Linux Officials) who did not quite apparently make the cut!
You forgot to mention that they are famous warriors too they won the Operating System war against IBM and Browser war against Netscape Communications
So, bring the exploits on to the "Code-Base OS/2" Champs!
Well, you have to remember that the "Code-Base OS/2 Operating System with 89% plus internet connection then it is: "Jobs-Baby-Jobs" for Software Developers!
Well, you have still got Thursday; and, the next day the 89% Internet Connection Crowd would be singing "Thank God It's Friday"; so, should care if there is the introduction of Double Cybersecurity Saturday and Triple Cubersecurity Sunday when it will be time to go "Fishing" or "Golfing" depending on the interest with time to watch the Russians at play with OS/2 from IBM with from your veranda; otherwise, life after all could have been so dull for some - Huh!