Top cybersecurity official to leave DHS
DHS' cybersecurity leader has resigned and will leave the department in June.
The top cybersecurity official at the Homeland Security Department is stepping down in June, according to published reports.
Phil Reitinger, deputy undersecretary in DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate, told DHS employees in an e-mail message sent May 18 that "I have decided that the time has come for me to move on from the department,” reports the National Journal.
Reitinger told the Journal that his decision, effective June 3, is not meant to reflect any disagreement with President Barack Obama's cybersecurity policies. Reitinger said he had been working at DHS since his two young children were born and wants to spend the summer with his family.
Reitinger joined DHS in 2009, coming from Microsoft, where his title was chief trustworthy infrastructure strategist, according to a report in the Washington Post. "Cyber experts roundly praised Reitinger as a strong, smart pick at a time when DHS is sorely in need of leadership on cybersecurity matters," wrote Brian Krebs at the Post when Reitinger was appointed.