Overview

Howard Anthony Schmidt (October 5, 1949 – March 2, 2017) was a prominent American figure in information security. Best known for his service as the White House Cybersecurity Coordinator in the Executive Office of the President and for his later private-sector consulting, Schmidt helped shape early national approaches to cyber policy, incident response and public–private collaboration.

Career and roles

Schmidt held senior positions spanning government and industry. Within the Obama administration he acted as Cybersecurity Coordinator, a role that involved coordinating interagency work, advising senior leaders and promoting cooperation between government and private-sector owners of critical systems. He announced his retirement from that post on May 17, 2012, effective at the end of that month.

After leaving government he partnered with former homeland security secretary Tom Ridge to form Ridge Schmidt Cyber LLC, a consultancy focused on cybersecurity strategy, risk management and incident readiness for organizations across several sectors. His professional path combined investigative and security experience with executive advisory work.

Contributions and areas of focus

Schmidt emphasized practical defenses, information sharing and building resilient systems. He advocated for clearer roles in responding to cyber incidents, stronger partnerships among companies and government, and raising awareness about cyber risk at board and executive levels. Colleagues and observers credited him with helping translate technical concerns into actionable policy guidance.

Legacy and later life

Beyond formal titles, Schmidt served as an educator, public speaker and advisor, helping to professionalize cybersecurity practices in both public institutions and private firms. He remained a visible voice in the field until his passing from brain cancer on March 2, 2017 in Muskego, Wisconsin.

Context and notable facts

  • His White House role placed him inside the Executive Office of the President where he coordinated cross-agency activities and outreach to industry stakeholders; see references to the Obama administration context for that period.
  • Schmidt's career illustrates the growing intersection of national policy and commercial cybersecurity needs as digital systems became central to infrastructure and commerce.

For readers seeking an introduction to his work, consider materials on national cybersecurity coordination, incident response frameworks and public–private information sharing, which reflect many of the themes Schmidt advanced during his career.