US appoints cybersecurity chief

The White House has appointed Microsof executive Howard Schmidt as its cyber chief following a seven month search.



The White House\'s acting cyber-security head, Melissa Hathaway, stepped down in August after complaining that the post did not allow her to implement necessary changes.



Mr. Schmidt, who is also a former advisor to President George Bush, was appointed after others turned down the job.



He has been mandated to unite various disparate agencies and organizations to shore up the country’s defence against cyber attack.