Howard Schmidt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Howard Schmidt
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| Cyber Security Coordinator of the Obama Administration | |
| In office January 20, 2009 – May 31, 2012 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Succeeded by | Michael Daniel |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Howard Anthony Schmidt
October 5, 1949 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 2, 2017 (aged 67) Muskego, Wisconsin |
| Spouse | Raemarie Schmidt |
| Children | Four grown sons, 8 Grandchildren |
| Alma mater | University of Phoenix (B.S./M.A.) |
| Occupation | Computer Security Specialist |
Howard Anthony Schmidt (born October 5, 1949 – died March 2, 2017) was a very important person in the world of cybersecurity. He worked with Tom Ridge at a company called Ridge Schmidt Cyber LLC, which helped businesses with their online safety.
Howard Schmidt was best known for being the Cyber-Security Coordinator for the Obama Administration. This meant he was the top advisor on computer security for the President of the United States. He retired from this big job in May 2012.
One of his main goals was to create a "National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace." This plan aimed to help private companies make secure online identities. Think of it like how your driver's license or credit card proves who you are in the real world. Schmidt wanted something similar for the internet.
Before working for President Obama, Schmidt was a leader in many important security groups. He was the president of the Information Security Forum and also led his own company, R & H Security Consulting LLC. He was also involved with Codenomicon and Fortify Software, which are companies focused on computer security. In 2008, he was named one of the most influential people in business technology.
Howard Schmidt passed away on March 2, 2017, from brain cancer at his home in Muskego, Wisconsin.
Contents
Education and Learning
Howard Schmidt was a lifelong learner. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1994. Later, in 1998, he got a Master of Arts degree in organizational management. Both of these degrees were from the University of Phoenix. He also received an honorary doctorate degree.
Schmidt held special certifications in computer security, like CISSP and CISM. These show he was an expert in keeping computer systems safe. He also taught at several universities, including the Georgia Institute of Technology and Idaho State University.
Howard Schmidt's Career
Early Public Service
Howard Schmidt started his career serving his country in 1967. He joined the United States Air Force. There, he learned about different types of weapons. From 1968 to 1974, he served three times in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
After leaving active military duty in 1974, he worked in civil service. He managed transportation and resources at an Air Force field until 1982. He also served in the Arizona Air National Guard from 1989 to 1998.
Law Enforcement and Cyber Security
From 1983 to 1994, Schmidt was a police officer in Chandler, Arizona. He was part of the SWAT team and worked to fight organized crime. He even created and led a special enforcement team.
In 1994, he joined the FBI's National Drug Intelligence Center. He led a team that focused on computer investigations. Later that year, he moved to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). There, he helped create the government's first dedicated computer forensics lab in 1996. This lab was important for investigating computer crimes.
He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a special agent. He worked with the Computer Crime Investigations Unit. Schmidt was an expert witness in court. He helped explain complex computer crimes and how digital evidence is found.
White House Role
In December 2001, after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush asked Howard Schmidt to join the White House. He became the Vice Chair of the President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board. He was also a special advisor for cyberspace security. While there, he helped create the US National Strategy to Secure CyberSpace. This plan was all about protecting America's online systems. He retired from the White House in May 2003.
On December 22, 2009, Schmidt was named the top computer security advisor to President Barack Obama. He had also worked as a cyber-adviser for President George W. Bush. He was also a chief security strategist for eBay.
In May 2012, Schmidt announced he would leave his White House role. He wanted to spend more time with his family and teach about cybersecurity. Michael Daniel took over his position.
Private Industry Work
Howard Schmidt also had a busy career in private companies. In 1997, he joined Microsoft. He was the director of information security and the chief security officer. He helped start the Trustworthy Computing Security Strategies Group there.
He was a member of many important groups that focused on technology and security. He often spoke on TV and radio about cybersecurity and investigations. He also wrote books, including The Black Book on Corporate Security and Patrolling CyberSpace, Lessons Learned from a Lifetime in Data Security.
Schmidt was the first president of the Information Technology Information Sharing and Analysis Center. He advised government groups like the National Institute of Standards and Technology on security and privacy. He also served on the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) International Advisory Board.
See also
- Information Security Forum
- Information Systems Audit and Control Association
