Another Computer Security Official Quits

A Washington Post article by Brian Krebs and Jonathan Krim discusses continuing churn in the government's response to cybersecurity risks.

"The Homeland Security Department official in charge of protecting the nation's physical and computer infrastructure is stepping down at the end of the month in the latest in a string of departures at the department's struggling cyber-security division. The announcement by Robert P. Liscouski, the department's assistant secretary for infrastructure protection, comes as technology executives and experts increasingly say that the Bush administration is giving short shrift to computer security."

"Attacks continue to proliferate and have become more sophisticated, whether they be viruses and phony solicitations aimed at home computer users or assaults on the networks of companies and other organizations."

"Also leaving the department this month is Lawrence C. Hale, the cyber-security division's deputy director."

"In July, the Homeland Security Department's inspector general found that the division's efforts suffered from a lack of coordination, poor communication and a failure to set priorities. The division 'must address these issues to reduce the risk that the critical infrastructure may fail due to cyber attacks,' the report said. 'The resulting widespread disruption of essential services after a cyber attack could delay the notification of emergency services, damage our economy and put public safety at risk.'"