Microsoft executive tapped for Homeland Security position

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Wednesday that Microsoft's Philip Reitinger has been tapped to be deputy undersecretary of department's National Protections Program Directorate. In that role, Reitinger will be charged with protecting the U.S. government's computing systems from domestic and foreign threats. "Phil's background in cybersecurity and computer crime coupled with his experience working across the federal government and the private sector to develop innovative security strategies makes him an asset to our department," Napolitano said.

Reitinger currently serves as Microsoft's chief trustworthy infrastructure strategist, where he is responsible for helping improve protection and security of critical IT infrastructure by coordinating closely with government agencies and private partners. He is also a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Advisory Council. In that role, he advises FEMA on cyber aspects of emergency management. The DHS appointment marks Reitinger's return to government. He previously served as executive director of the Defense Department's Cyber Crime Center and before that worked as deputy chief of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property division at the Justice Department.