New M$ Security Chief ?

Microsoft plans to appoint a former U.S. Department of Justice attorney to its top security position, company sources said Thursday.
Scott Charney, currently the principal for digital risk management and forensics at PricewaterhouseCoopers, will become chief security strategist on April 1, overseeing the software giant's internal and product security policies.

Microsoft refused to comment, as did Charney. Before he joined PricewaterhouseCoopers, Charney served as the chief of the computer crime and intellectual property section of the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1991 and 1999.

Charney will replace Howard Schmidt, who has left his role as chief security officer at Microsoft to become vice chairman of the federal Critical Infrastructure Protection Board.

Security has become a critical issue for the software giant.

Despite several initiatives to secure the Windows operating system and Microsoft's major applications, bugs have still plagued the company.

Two weeks ago, a memo from Microsoft chairman Bill Gates to employees criticized the company's track record in security and set the creation of secure software as the company's top priority.

While many experts doubt whether Microsoft can successfully secure its products, they agree that it must improve its record.

CNET Coverage

Microsoft plans to appoint a former U.S. Department of Justice attorney to its top security position, company sources said Thursday.
Scott Charney, currently the principal for digital risk management and forensics at PricewaterhouseCoopers, will become chief security strategist on April 1, overseeing the software giant's internal and product security policies.

Microsoft refused to comment, as did Charney. Before he joined PricewaterhouseCoopers, Charney served as the chief of the computer crime and intellectual property section of the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1991 and 1999.

Charney will replace Howard Schmidt, who has left his role as chief security officer at Microsoft to become vice chairman of the federal Critical Infrastructure Protection Board.

Security has become a critical issue for the software giant.

Despite several initiatives to secure the Windows operating system and Microsoft's major applications, bugs have still plagued the company.

Two weeks ago, a memo from Microsoft chairman Bill Gates to employees criticized the company's track record in security and set the creation of secure software as the company's top priority.

While many experts doubt whether Microsoft can successfully secure its products, they agree that it must improve its record.

CNET Coverage

how much will he change things? I guess it remains to be seen....

how much will he change things? I guess it remains to be seen....