DHS Assistant Secretary Garcia Honored With Cybercrime Fighter Award
McAfee Inc. recently presented the McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award to Gregory T. Garcia, Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security. The award, recognizing Garcia for his national leadership in helping American citizens, businesses and governments protect themselves against cyberattacks, was presented during a McAfee event in Las Vegas.
"Fighting cybercrime takes coordination from government, industry and citizens alike," said Dave DeWalt, CEO and president of McAfee. "Assistant Secretary Garcia has been a leader in the United States, bringing these segments together to raise awareness of the issues, reduce risks and coordinate our response."
Garcia was honored for his national leadership in helping governments, businesses and citizens reduce their risk of becoming victims of cyberattacks through prevention and awareness. Under Garcia's leadership, the National Cyber Security Division has helped computer users stay prepared through the National Cyber Alert System. The division has raised awareness of cybersecurity best practices through sponsorship of National Cyber Security Awareness Month each October, and by working through the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) with public, private, and international partners to prevent cyberattacks and coordinate responses when they do occur.
As America's first Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Communications for the Department of Homeland Security, Garcia is responsible for working with government agencies, businesses and citizens to assure the security, resiliency and reliability of the nation's cyber and communications infrastructure. In this role, Garcia oversees the National Cyber Security Division, the Office of Emergency Communications and the National Communications System.
The McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award is given to an individual from government, industry, academia or a nongovernmental organization who has exemplified outstanding leadership in the global effort to combat cybercrime. The honoree has contributed to the effort in a way that may include raising awareness of cybercrime prevention, leading law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute cybercrime, educating the next generation of cybercrime fighters, creating innovative ways to combat cybercrime, protecting consumers or children from cybercrime threats, or other efforts.