Homeland Defense Pick

The White House has announced plans to nominate Eric Rosenbach, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, to be assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense. In his new role as the Pentagon's top homeland defense official, Rosenbach would bring years of experience with cybersecurity and counterterrorism policy matters and oversee a new incarnation of the homeland defense office, which was recently reorganized by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in an overhaul of the Pentagon's policy shop.

The overhaul put policy for cyber, space and countering weapons of mass destruction under the assistant secretary for homeland defense, creating what Hagel termed a more comprehensive approach to homeland defense. Provided he is confirmed by the Senate, Rosenbach would oversee four deputy assistant secretaries of defense: homeland defense integration and defense support of civil authorities; defense continuity and mission assurance; countering weapons of mass destruction; and cyber and space policy.

Rosenbach has served in his current post since 2011. Previously, he was principal and global cybersecurity practice lead at Good Harbor Consulting. From 2007 to 2010, he was the executive director of the Belfer Center for International Affairs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he also taught classes on cybersecurity, counterterrorism and international policy analysis. He was a policy adviser for President Obama’s 2008 campaign and has ties to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. From 2005 to 2007, he advised then-Sen. Hagel (R-NE) while serving on the staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.