New CompTIA Committee Tackles Timely Challenge of Promoting Cybersecurity Readiness

The latest disaster in a seemingly neverending onslaught of cybercrime grabbed headlines across the world earlier this week, as grim-faced U.S. government officials disclosed a major breach of a federal records database. Among all of the other national security threats that call for eternal vigilance, cyber-warfare is persistently elbowing its way to the front of the crowd as a clear and present danger to U.S. interests.

Need further proof? Check out this map of the cyber world that tracks attempted hack attacks in real time.

IT industry group CompTIA — whose Security+ certification is required of those seeking IT employment with the U.S. Department of Defense — probably couldn't have picked a better moment for the launch of its newest advocacy group. On Thursday, CompTIA officials trumpeted the formation of a new Cybersecurity Committee drawn up with the express mission of "focusing on policies and initiatives to improve the security of the nation's critical information infrastructure."

A prominent and respected tech industry consortium is volunteering to help the United States get its cybersecurity house in order? Uncle Sam is probably looking for his nicest welcome mat right now.

The new committee will be chaired by respected technology executive Laura Kirkham, an AT&T assistant vice president. The CompTIA group will seek to promote collaboration, engage government leadership, and pursue all other means of improving national cybersecurity readiness.

Kirkham welcomed her appointment in a statement to media, calling cybersecurity the most persistent problem of the modern age. "It will take creative solutions and policies for us to outwit our adversaries," Kirkham said. "I am honored to be the chair of this committee as CompTIA is uniquely situated to be a thought-leader and a voice for businesses of all size."

CompTIA executive Elizabeth Hyman said in a statement to media that each of the committee members will bring years of IT security experience to the committee. "Given the current cybersecurity threats that we are facing and trying to outsmart," Hyman said, "(CompTIA) thought it was imperative to bring industry leaders to the table to collaboratively create a more secure environment for companies and consumers."