WhoRunsGov

Howard A. Schmidt

Cybersecurity Adviser (since December 2009)

(Lawrence Jackson/
White House)

Why He Matters

Schmidt, a former police officer, now serves as the top U.S. bodyguard in cyberspace.

After months of speculation and delay, President Obama named Schmidt as his top cybersecurity adviser in December 2009. Schmidt reports to deputy National Security Adviser John O. Brennan, but also collaborates with National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling. His portfolio will be vast as cybersecurity spans every facet of the government from national safety to economic welfare.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: President and CEO of Information Security Forum (2008 to present); President and CEO of R&H Security Consulting (2005 to present); Chief Information Security Officer at eBay (2003 to 2005)
  • Hometown: Philadelphia, Penn.
  • Alma Mater: University of Phoenix, BSBA and MAOM
  • DC Office: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Schmidt chose to join the Air Force when he turned 18.

In 1983, Schmidt joined the Chandler, Ariz., police force. He worked as a police officer for 11 years. During that time, Schmidt found his future specialty. When the police force came across a drug dealer's computer, it was password protected. Schmidt cracked the code and found a spreadsheet that listed the criminal's drug dealings.

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The Issues

In May 2009, Obama announced he would select a cybersecurity coordinator to advise him on matters concerning national security in cyberworld.

Though he reports to deputy NSC head Brennan, then-NEC head Larry Summers argued that the candidate should also report to the NEC because of the severe effects a cyberattack could have on U.S. economic institutions. Obama said Schmidt will also advise the NEC director on cybersecurity issues.

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The Network

Schmidt reports to Deputy NSA Director John O. Brennan, and advises NEC Director Gene Sperling.

While Schmidt worked at eBay as chief information security officer, California Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman served as eBay CEO.

 

Campaign Contributions

In 1999, Schmidt donated $250 to the Microsoft Corp. political action committee. He has not donated directly to any political campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

 

Additional Resources

  1. Martinez, Jennifer and Allen, Mike, Politico, White House delivers cybersecurity plan to Hill, May 12, 2011
  2. Center for Responsive Politics
  3. Richmond, Riva, "Technology (A Special Report) --- Guard at the Gate: As chief security officer of eBay, Howard Schmidt is on the corporate front lines," The Wall Street Journal, April 26, 2004
  4. Nakashima, Ellen, "Obama to name Howard Schmidt as cybersecurity coordinator," The Washington Post, Dec. 22, 2009
  5. Richmond, Riva, "Technology (A Special Report) --- Guard at the Gate: As chief security officer of eBay, Howard Schmidt is on the corporate front lines," The Wall Street Journal, April 26, 2004
  6. "National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace," accessed on the DHS Web site on Feb. 11, 2010
  7. Nakashima, Ellen, "Obama to name Howard Schmidt as cybersecurity coordinator," The Washington Post, Dec. 22, 2009