White House chief information security officer Cory Louie was abruptly removed from his post last Thursday, according to multiple reports.
The White House did not immediately respond to TPM’s requests for comment.
Louie’s departure was reported by Steve Clemons, an editor at The Atlantic, and ZDNet, a website published by CBS Interactive. Clemons cited an unnamed source also forced to resign, and initially misidentified Louie as a member of the Secret Service. ZDNet cited unnamed sources.
I have confirmed that the Chief of Information Security at White House forced to resign. Was error in tagging him as Secret Service. 1/2
— Steve Clemons (@SCClemons) February 3, 2017
Others – not sure how many – attached to White House security/cyber security/info security – resigned last night & escorted out of EEOB
— Steve Clemons (@SCClemons) February 3, 2017
It is the CISO function, at minimum, in WH that saw forced resignations last night. These folks work w/@SecretService but not of Secret Svc
— Steve Clemons (@SCClemons) February 3, 2017
Louie LinkedIn profile still lists his job as “chief information security officer” at the White House.
It was not clear if a replacement has been appointed to Louie’s position, according to ZDNet’s report.
Obama announced the creation of the role of Federal Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in 2016 to “drive cybersecurity policy, planning, and implementation” in the federal government.
The White House CISO is responsible for the security of internal networks, communications, data and device security, per ZDNet.
For example, Louie provided guidelines on information and technology security during travel to Cuba in a memo to his staff which later leaked.
Former Federal Chief Information Officer Tony Scott and former White House IT Director David Recordon resigned their positions when President Barack Obama left office, according to ZDNet’s report. Former U.S. Chief Information Security Officer Gregory Touhill also announced his departure from the White House in January.
Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Don Beyer (D-VA) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) sent a letter Thursday to Republican members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology asking them to investigate President Donald Trump’s cybersecurity practices and vulnerabilities.
“The current Administration, in its short time in office, has shown a shocking disregard for cybersecurity practices,” the letter addressed to Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and committee chair Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) reads. “Already serious cybersecurity issues affecting the office of the President have arisen.”
