Richard Clarke: American Grandstand

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

Forwarded from: security curmudgeon <jericho () attrition org>

[Most recent security rant. Not including the entire article here because
you need to see the snazzy cartoon that accompanies the rant!]

http://www.attrition.org/security/rant/z/clarke.html

Richard Clarke: American Grandstand
Thu Feb 6 05:46:48 EST 2003
by Jericho (security curmudgeon)

Richard A. Clarke, Special Advisor to the President for Cyberspace
Security (lovingly known as the Cyber Security Czar), recently
announced plans to retire after little over a year from his
appointment by George W. Bush.

Under President Bill Clinton, Clarke was appointed the first National
Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-
terrorism in May 1998. Later, Clarke was appointed Special Advisor to
the President for Cyberspace Security in October 2001 by President
George Bush.

Having someone appointed to the position of Cyber Security Czar
originally promised great advancement for the cause of internet
security. Unlike most political appointments, Clarke appeared to have
a genuine interest in learning more about security and its players,
despite his lack of IT or security background. He made himself
available and spoke at conventions such as Black Hat Briefings and
Defcon 10. These acts were taken as a sign that he was willing to get
his hands dirty, study all sides of the issue, and make informed
decisions about the national security infrastructure. These hopes were
quickly dashed, and Clarke reverted to typical czar behavior, leading
the industry to ask, "Is Clarke the Right Man For the Job?"

[snip...]



-
ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org

To unsubscribe email majordomo () attrition org with 'unsubscribe isn'
in the BODY of the mail.