Bhalotra to the White House

White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt is expected to name Sameer Bhalotra his deputy cybersecurity coordinator soon. According to sources, Bhalotra, a professional staffer at the U.S. Senate, sent out notes last night informing people of his move to the White House.

Bhalotra has gained deep respect within the ranks of cybersecurity circles as a strong cyber advisor.

"It's a shame to see Sameer leave the Hill and SSCI, but this is a real coup for Howard Schmidt," said James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert and senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Bhalotra has conducted deeply classified work and worked extensively on the Senate cyber budget. As the key cyber staffer on the Senate Intelligence Committee since 2007, he's been responsible for the entire cyber budget for the last several years. He also was a member of the Commission on the Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency.

Perhaps more importantly, he's well trusted in Congress, and sources say Republicans and Democrats alike are big fans. Adding Bhalotra to Schmidt's team is enough reason for Congress to make the White House Network Operations Center (NOC) a permanent federal office, according to SANS' Director of Research Alan Paller. A bill from Rep. Diane E. Watson, D-Calif., introduced in March, would do to just that, and other legislative attempts to update FISMA also are expected to propose similar measures.

"He is probably the most technically tuned-in staff member on the Hill," said Paller. "He's an innovator and a team builder and a mentor to many others on the Hill where he headed the Senate's cyber staff caucus."

It was rumored back in December of 2009 that Bhalotra would be making the move to the White House, but a decision hadn't been made at the time.

According to his bio, Bhalotra received an undergraduate degree in physics and chemistry from Harvard University and a doctorate in applied physics from Stanford University.

"This is a great move for the Administration," said Karen Evans, former administrator for e-government and IT at the Office of Management and Budget. "Sameer brings an in-depth understanding of the issues facing the nation complemented with his Hill experience."

Adam Ross is managing editor at the SANS Institute and wrote, edited, and Web produced for The Washington Post's opinions and politics sections, online and in print. You can reach him at aross@nextgov.com.