DHS names ITAA exec as cybersecurity chief

The Homeland Security Department announced today that Gregory Garcia has been appointed as the assistant secretary for cybersecurity and telecommunications.

Garcia has been serving as a vice president for information security policy and programs at the Information Technology Association of America, an Arlington, Va., industry group.

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, in a statement, said Garcia "brings the right mix of experience in government and the private sector to continue to strengthen our robust partnerships that are essential to this field. He has the expertise to focus resources and activities within the cyber and telecommunications communities in a manner that is consistent with our risk-based approach to homeland security."

At ITAA, Garcia led the public debate on cybersecurity policy and national cyber readiness, DHS officials said. He worked closely with the department in the past few years in his role on the IT Sector Coordinating Council and working with industry to found the National Cyber Security Partnership.

Garcia earned a bachelor’s degree from San Jose University.

“I am gratified that Greg will join the department as the first assistant secretary of cybersecurity and telecommunications, and I look forward to his many contributions that will advance the important progress that has already been made in this area,” Chertoff said in the statement.

Joe Tasker, ITAA’s senior vice president and general counsel, said Garcia’s appointment is a “reflection of the importance of information security. That’s what we have long been advocating and we’re pleased to see that it is now coming to fruition.”

“In Greg, you have a person who has a good technical background and a strong policy background. Both of those will serve him well,” Tasker said.