This is a prime example of what happens when you fill a position with ?political glad-hands?, rather than individuals with actual experience. This works great with departments such as unemployment, motor vehicles, and the taxi and limousine commission ? politicians can repay favors by putting unqualified people in cushy jobs, and it?s only a minor inconvenience to the general population. But this is supposed to be the ?Critical Infrastructure Protection Board? to help us address the new threats (rather the threats realized) since 9/11.

I can?t believe that they put guys like Howard Schmidt on the board. He?s just someone who gave a lot of talks at ISSA shows, and somehow managed to be considered an ?expert?. ?He?s the guy that talks to executives for you? the ISSA droids will say, but in the company of top executives Schmidt is just a technical wanna-be with a University of Phoenix degree. He?s got little security experience, no executive experience outside of the token security job at Microsoft, and his education consists of a school that gives grades based on ?class participation? and not tests, exams, or actual learning.

How does this guy get put in charge our infrastructure?? He?s adept at moving up the ladder, that?s the only discernible skill he?s got.

Look at his recent interview in ?Information Security? (http://www.infosecuritymag.com/2002/may/qa.shtml), he?s more concerned with clearing up the fact that he?s more of a ?co-chair? rather than, as he?s titled, a ?vice chair?, than he is with anything else. Come on, this is supposed to be the guy who?s going to be setting the strategy and defining partners for defending our infrastructure? He?s probably ?forging relationships? with companies now to land that next cushy job when the Bush administration finally figures out he?s clueless and they toss him out the door. The sooner the better.


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