The Department of Homeland Security is moving the duties of the N...

infrastructure strategist for Microsoft, as both deputy undersecretary of the National Protection & Programs Directorate and director of the National Cybersecurity Center. The latter position was vacated only Friday by Rod Beckstrom, who said the National Security Agency was muscling out his office for control of cybersecurity efforts (WID March 10 p7). About 10 minutes later DHS sent out a correction, stating that Reitinger was only taking the directorate slot. The spokeswoman said the undersecretary slot would handle the director’s duties, effectively moving up the profile of cybersecurity within DHS. The center is staying put, as is the slot of director, who will be chosen by and report directly to Reitinger, she said. Asked whether the directorate would move to the NSA -- a floated proposal noted with scorn by Beckstrom in his resignation letter -- the spokeswoman said Napolitano intended for DHS to remain relevant on cybersecurity issues. Reitinger has a long history in cybersecurity, previously serving as executive director of the Defense Department’s Cyber Crime Center and deputy chief of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property division at Justice. Currently he advises the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator on cybersecurity as a member of the FEMA National Advisory Council.