The Daily Sandbox!: Speculation, Rumors and Whispers - Who could become the Cyber Tsar

By Kevin M. Nixon, MSA, CISSP^©, CISM^©, CGEIT^©

Got to thinking about all of the speculation, rumors and whispers, circulating around Washington DC tonight about who is on the short list with Tsar-like skills.

First, disregard all of the qualifications, in-depth security knowledge etc. that are on the typical everyday run of the mill Tsar Job Postings.

Think about alternative candidates that have additional supplemental income to take the sting out of that capitated $150K pay grade. Perhaps someone retired from the military, perhaps someone who has retained top level security clearance while in the private sector. Perhaps someone with experience dealing with huge software suppliers and with experience in Government Relations and Federal Programs with companies located in Washington State. And certainly someone with former responsibility for sales, business development, and the capture/proposal process for public sector opportunities. Consider also, someone with experience developing a company's Network Centric Systems, for Military Integration and Transformation. After all of those additional qualifications, perhaps someone currently in the private sector with very close government ties.

Rear Admiral Robert C. “Willie” Williamson, USN (Ret) joined Raytheon, Network Centric Systems in March 2004. He assumed the newly created position of Director, Naval Integration and Transformation and was assigned additional responsibilities as the Director of Business Development for Integrated Communications Systems (ICS) in December 2004. Currently, Willie is the vice president of International Programs for Integrated Communications Systems (ICS).

Another Washington whisper includes Paul B. Kurtz, a recognized cyber security and homeland security expert. He served in senior positions on the White House's National Security and Homeland Security Councils under Presidents Clinton and Bush and is currently an on-air consultant to CBS News. Paul Kurtz, is currently a Partner and security consultant with Arlington, Va.-based Good Harbor Consulting.

Good Harbor Consulting Good Harbor Consulting, LLC was founded in 2002 by Good Harbor President Roger W. Cressey after he served in cyber security and counterterrorism positions in the Clinton and Bush administrations. He sought to establish a boutique consulting firm combining public and private sector knowledge and experience to develop a unique offering for government and commercial clients.

In 2003, Richard A. Clarke joined as Chairman of the firm and John S. Tritak joined as CEO. Clarke, an internationally recognized expert on security, including homeland security, national security, cyber security, and counterterrorism, has served the last three U.S. Presidents as a senior White House advisor. Prior to his 11 consecutive White House years, Clarke served for 19 years in the Pentagon, the Intelligence Community, and State Department.

So, President Obama has a number of players sitting on the bench and ready to play the game. But something just keeps nagging me as I tried to figure out who might have the best odds in Vegas. Add all of those ingredients together, stir and filtered and studied and still came up with Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Robert C. "Willie" Williamson.

Just as I had noticed the mysterious change in Melissa Hathaway’s title on the White House Blog, at the moment that the President was speaking, I also noticed something very interesting, “Why would Raytheon remove Rear Admiral Williamson’s distinguished service Bio from the corporate website?” Will Raytheon be doing an executive search for a new VP of International Programs? (Just imagine job search skills would include: “Successful candidate should possess Tsar like qualities and drive for advancement.)

It just seems to me that if one studies the subtle, nuance moves which Washington perfected and patented it would seems that Willie is the pick. That is just my personal opinion and random thinking.