Top DHS cyber security official explains departure

The top cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security said he's stepping down next month to spend more time with his family even as a front-runner emerged for his replacement.

DHS Deputy Undersecretary of the National Protections and Programs Directorate Philip Reitinger announced he will leave his post June 3. Reitinger said he feels confident the team he leaves in place at DHS will be able to implement the White House's recently released legislative guidance for cybersecurity. "We've come a long was as a government and within DHS. I felt the time was right," Reitinger said. "I'm going to continue to be involved in this space, but I haven't really thought about how." Immediately before joining DHS two years ago, Reitinger spent six years as chief trustworthy infrastructure strategist for Microsoft. He has also worked for the Pentagon and spent more than a decade at the Justice Department.