Obama’s new cyber panel eyes security

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Wednesday appointed his former national security adviser, Tom Donilon, to lead a new commission on cybersecurity that will make detailed recommendations on how the nation should better protect itself against computer attacks.

Donilon will serve as chairman of the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. Obama will appoint former IBM chief executive Sam Palmisano to serve as vice chairman. Their task, Obama said, is to produce a report by Dec. 1 that will guide future presidents on the infrastructure necessary to confront long-term computer challenges.

Obama issued an executive order establishing the bipartisan commission earlier this month. It comes as federal agencies are facing ever-more sophisticated attacks.

One of the most serious breaches in the past year occurred when hackers gained access to the personal information of more than 22 million U.S. federal employees, retirees, contractors and others, and millions of sensitive and classified documents maintained by the Office of Personnel Management.

The commission that Donilon and Palmisano will lead will consist of up to 12 members and make detailed recommendations dealing with the public and private sectors.