Press Office
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Press Release
September 18, 2006

                                                     Contact:  DHS Press Office, (202) 282-8010

Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the appointment of THE Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Telecommunications

I am pleased to announce that Gregory Garcia has been appointed as Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Telecommunications at the Department of Homeland Security.  Greg brings the right mix of experience in government and the private sector to continue to strengthen our robust partnerships that are essential to this field.  He has the expertise to focus resources and activities within the cyber and telecommunications communities in a manner that is consistent with our risk-based approach to homeland security.

Greg joins the department from the Information Technology Association of America, where he was Vice President for Information Security Policy and Programs.  In that capacity, Greg led the public debate on cyber security policy and national cyber readiness.  He has worked closely with the department over the past few years in his role on the IT Sector Coordinating Council and working with industry to found the National Cyber Security Partnership.  Greg helped to draft and enact the Cyber Security Research and Development Act of 2002 during his tenure with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science.  Greg has also worked to strengthen encryption control regulations while with the Americans for Computer Privacy and he was active on international trade and IT policy at the Americans Electronics Association.  He is a graduate of San Jose University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

I am gratified that Greg will join the department as the first Assistant Secretary of Cyber Security and Telecommunications, and I look forward to his many contributions that will advance the important progress that has already been made in this area.