Obama names Schmidt 'cyber czar'

“Howard will have the important responsibility of orchestrating the many important cybersecurity activities across the government,” Obama’s assistant for homeland security and counterterrorism, John Brennan, said. Schmidt’s appointment came seven months after Obama vowed to “personally select” an adviser to spearhead the government’s strategy for protecting computer systems.

“Howard will have regular access to the president and serve as a key member of his National Security Staff,” Brennan said in a statement.

“He will also work closely with his economic team to ensure that our cybersecurity efforts keep the nation secure and prosperous,” he said while describing Schmidt as “one of the world’s leading authorities on computer security.”

Schmidt had earlier in his career served as chief security officer at Microsoft and as chief information security officer at eBay, The Washington Post reported.