WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Tuesday issued the following statement in reaction to the appointment of Howard Schmidt to be the nation’s cyber security coordinator:
"The appointment of Howard Schmidt to be cyber security coordinator is a welcome development in the federal government’s ongoing efforts to improve the security of America’s cyber networks after so many months of delay.
“Only the Office of the President has the authority to ensure that all agencies are working from the same playbook. So, I hope Mr. Schmidt’s appointment leads to a renewed sense of urgency across the government to address this challenge. We need to develop without further delay a national strategy for safeguarding critical cyber networks and a comprehensive plan that lays out the responsibilities of each federal agency and the private sector.
"I will be introducing legislation in the New Year that calls for the cyber coordinator position to be Senate confirmed. In the meantime, I hope Mr. Schmidt will testify soon before our Committee to keep us apprised of his activities."
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