Cybersecurity Coordinator Set To Hire Deputy
May 27, 2010
| 2:47 PM
White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt is expected to name Sameer Bhalotra his deputy cybersecurity coordinator soon, Nextgov.com reported.
According to sources, Bhalotra, a professional staffer on the Senate Intelligence Committee, sent out notes last night informing people of his move to the White House. Bhalotra has gained deep respect within the ranks of cybersecurity circles as a strong cyber adviser.
"It's a shame to see Sameer leave the Hill and SSCI, but this is a real coup for Howard Schmidt," said James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert and senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Bhalotra has conducted deeply classified work and worked extensively on the Senate cyber budget. As the key cyber staffer on the Senate Intelligence Committee since 2007, he's been responsible for the entire cyber budget for the last several years. He also was a member of the Commission on the Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency.
Perhaps more importantly, he's well trusted in Congress, and sources say Republicans and Democrats alike are big fans. Adding Bhalotra to Schmidt's team is enough reason for Congress to make the White House Network Operations Center (NOC) a permanent federal office, according to SANS' Director of Research Alan Paller.
A bill from Rep. Diane E. Watson, D-Calif., introduced in March, would do to just that, and other legislative attempts to update FISMA also are expected to propose similar measures. To read more, click here.
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