Obama names Howard Schmidt cybersecurity coordinator

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama will name Howard A. Schmidt hiss new White House Cybersecurity Coordinator. Schmidt was also a cyber-adviser in President George W. Bush's White House. The mission is challenging: to coordinate cybersecurity policy across the federal government, from the military to civilian agencies. Schmidt's appointment comes as the Pentagon launches a major new "cyber-command" unit up and running and the Department of Homeland Security works to improve protection of civilian networks. The new coordinator, who does not require Senate confirmation, will report to deputy national security adviser John O. Brennan and will "work closely with and collaborate with" the economic council on cyber-issues, the administration official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the choice was not yet official.