National Cyber Security Center
Encyclopedia
The National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) is an office within the United States
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created in March 2008, and is based on the requirements of National Security Presidential Directive 54/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23 (NSPD-54/HSPD-23), reporting directly to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano
. The NCSC is tasked with protecting the U.S. Government’s communications networks. The Center will monitor, collect and share information on systems belonging to NSA, FBI, DoD
, and DHS.
The first Director appointed to head the Center was Rod Beckstrom
, a successful entrepreneur and co-author of The Starfish and the Spider
. On March 5, 2009, Beckstrom tendered his resignation as the Director of National Cybersecurity Center. According to the Washington Post, Beckstrom resigned, "...due to a lack of resources and because there were efforts underway to fold his group -- as well as the division Reitinger is joining -- into a facility at the NSA." On March 11, 2009, Phil Reitinger
, then at Microsoft
, was appointed to the position.
, Deputy Under Secretary of the National Protection and Programs Directorate, is a former Microsoft C-level executive, has been appointed to this position (Senate confirmation is not required). The position reports to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Janet Napolitano
. (This is not the same as the White House cyber security coordinator, Howard Schmidt
.)
, the White House cybersecurity office, announced on January 7, 2011 that it will create an office within the commerce department that is devoted to helping the development of technologies or platforms that will eventually allow sensitive online transactions to be carried out with greater levels of trust.
The new office is called the National Program Office and its primary duty is to coordinate the federal activities necessary to carry out the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC), a White House initiative dedicated to making the Internet a more secure environment for consumers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created in March 2008, and is based on the requirements of National Security Presidential Directive 54/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23 (NSPD-54/HSPD-23), reporting directly to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano is the third and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She is the fourth person to hold the position, which was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the 21st...
. The NCSC is tasked with protecting the U.S. Government’s communications networks. The Center will monitor, collect and share information on systems belonging to NSA, FBI, DoD
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, and DHS.
The first Director appointed to head the Center was Rod Beckstrom
Rod Beckstrom
Rod Beckstrom is an author, high-tech entrepreneur, and CEO and President of ICANN.He previously served as Director of the National Cyber Security Center. Prior to that Beckstrom was Chairman and Chief Catalyst of TWIKI.NET, a company which supports TWiki, an open source wiki...
, a successful entrepreneur and co-author of The Starfish and the Spider
The Starfish And the Spider
The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations is a 2006 book by Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom is an exploration of the implications of the recent rise of decentralized organizations such as Wikipedia, Grokster and YouTube...
. On March 5, 2009, Beckstrom tendered his resignation as the Director of National Cybersecurity Center. According to the Washington Post, Beckstrom resigned, "...due to a lack of resources and because there were efforts underway to fold his group -- as well as the division Reitinger is joining -- into a facility at the NSA." On March 11, 2009, Phil Reitinger
Phil Reitinger
Phil Reitinger was the Deputy Under Secretary of the National Protection and Programs Directorate and Director of the National Cyber Security Center at the United States Department of Homeland Security...
, then at Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, was appointed to the position.
Cyber Security Director
Phil ReitingerPhil Reitinger
Phil Reitinger was the Deputy Under Secretary of the National Protection and Programs Directorate and Director of the National Cyber Security Center at the United States Department of Homeland Security...
, Deputy Under Secretary of the National Protection and Programs Directorate, is a former Microsoft C-level executive, has been appointed to this position (Senate confirmation is not required). The position reports to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security
United States Secretary of Homeland Security
The United States Secretary of Homeland Security is the head of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the body concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet. The position was created by the...
Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano is the third and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She is the fourth person to hold the position, which was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the 21st...
. (This is not the same as the White House cyber security coordinator, Howard Schmidt
Howard Schmidt
Howard A. Schmidt is the Cyber-Security Coordinator of the Obama Administration, operating in the Executive Office of the President of the United States.One of Schmidt's leading policy objectives is the development of "National Strategy for...
.)
Mission - A National Security Priority
The NCSC has not officially published their mission; however, the Center’s priority is to protect the US Government’s computer and communication systems from domestic and foreign threats. The federal government has designated this as a National Security Priority, one of our highest national priorities.US President's Cyber Security Policy Review - June 2009
The White House published a Cyber Security Policy Review http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Cyberspace_Policy_Review_final.pdf, however the NCSC is not explicitly mentioned in that document.National Program Office
In coordination with the United States Department of CommerceUnited States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
, the White House cybersecurity office, announced on January 7, 2011 that it will create an office within the commerce department that is devoted to helping the development of technologies or platforms that will eventually allow sensitive online transactions to be carried out with greater levels of trust.
The new office is called the National Program Office and its primary duty is to coordinate the federal activities necessary to carry out the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace (NSTIC), a White House initiative dedicated to making the Internet a more secure environment for consumers.