Microsoft headhunts new security chief

Microsoft has announced that it has recruited Thomas Richey, a retired US Coastguard officer, to fill the newly created post of federal director of homeland security at the company.

After serving for 20 years in the Coast Guard, Richey retired in 2001 and became policy adviser to US senator John Kerry, in whose office he worked on homeland security and other issues.

Microsoft said it created the post in order to help the government manage its IT systems and to make sure the different systems work together.

Mitra Azizirad, general manager of Microsoft's federal systems, said in a statement: "Tom's appointment is a significant step in establishing Microsoft as a strategic partner to the government as it evolves its homeland security strategy."

Many companies are hoping to get a piece of the homeland security business, which could provide a windfall to the tech sector. Any new homeland security department set up by the US government will need to purchase computer equipment for internal use and would likely promote new technology to help the US fight terrorism.

In September, the US government unveiled its draft cyber security strategy plan. The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace calls on all companies to help secure their portion of the information technology infrastructure. Government officials fear that the nation's computer systems in general, and the Internet in particular, could be vulnerable to a terrorist attack and asked for more collaboration between the private and public sectors.

Lisa M Bowman writes for News.com