DHS says cybersecurity exec candidate coming soon

The Homeland Security Department has a potential candidate to fill the almost yearlong vacant position of assistant secretary of cybersecurity, said George Foresman, DHS’ undersecretary for preparedness, today at a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee’s Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity Subcommittee.

Foresman announced the news after subcommittee members expressed their disappointment that DHS has yet to fill the role, which was established almost a year ago. He said the department has a strong potential candidate and it would possibly bring the candidate forward in the near future, pending a security clearance process.

“One person is critical but not indispensable,” Foresman said. “We’re not going to simply hire someone to fill the position.”

Foresman also said that DHS has someone in the role temporarily but has not placed someone in a full-time acting role.

When asked if the pending security clearance was the only reason the potential candidate was being delayed, Foresman said yes.