Donald Trump, who declared over the weekend that “no computer is safe” and that one way to thwart cybercriminals is to write out messages and distribute them via courier, has named Thomas P. Bossert as his main cybersecurity adviser.
Bossert, who previously worked for the George W. Bush administration, will also advise Trump on national security and terrorism and will serve at the same level as incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. However, his focus will be on domestic policy while Flynn focuses on international security challenges, according to a Trump transition team announcement. The position does not require congressional confirmation.
Bossert said he looks forward to “maintaining a strong, deeply respectful relationship with the governors, mayors, police and fire fighters, emergency managers, EMS professionals, and public health officials that constitute the backbone of our homeland security and our national preparedness,” he said in the release.
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“We must work toward cyber doctrine that reflects the wisdom of free markets, private competition and the important but limited role of government in establishing and enforcing the rule of law, honoring the rights of personal property, the benefits of free and fair trade, and the fundamental principles of liberty. The internet is a U.S. invention, it should reflect these U.S. values as it continues to transform the future for all nations and all generations,” he said.
“It’s a humbling thing because of the awesomeness of the job—I mean that in an awe-filled way,” Bossert, currently a cyber risk fellow at the Atlantic Council, told the Wall Street Journal.
Rep. Bill Keating, D-Massachusetts, who serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, told the WSJ that the appointment suggests the incoming Trump administration is taking seriously the threat of cyberterrorism.
“It’s a good move strategically,” he said.