Ridge, Schmidt form consulting firm

Two former high-level government security officials joined forces this month to start up a cybersecurity consultancy offering strategies and guidance for business and government.

Tom Ridge, the first Homeland Security Department secretary, and Howard Schmidt, former White House cybersecurity advisor to presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, will serve as partners in Ridge Schmidt Cyber LLC.

"Cyber attacks and cyber crime have a real – not virtual – impact on operations and the bottom line. The effects are as far reaching, disruptive and consequential as physical attacks, and can make or break organizations that are not sufficiently prepared," Ridge said in the announcement of the launch.

According to the release, Ridge Schmidt will offer cybersecurity strategy and architecture design, development of policies and procedures strategic cyber reviews, "as well as provide access to some of the world’s top technical experts from civilian government, military and private sector."

"Our goal is to help leaders improve their cyber resiliency, so attacks don’t impact their systems or their market positions," Schmidt stated in the release.