Report: Obama Set To Name Cybersecurity Head

On Sunday,The Wall Street Journal reported that Hathaway could be named to the position sometime Monday, though it appears more likely to happen at a later date, given Obama's current efforts to get the economic stimulus bill passed in the Senate.

Hathaway, who formerly worked in the Bush administration to combat high-tech crime on federal networks, was expected to be named a senior director at the National Security Council.

Under Obama, Hathaway will oversee a 60-day review of the government's current plans to combat computer crimes by terrorists, spies and financial criminals. The government's initiative is estimated to cost about $30 billion over five years, with spending this year of about $6 billion, the paper reported.

Obama told prospective voters last July that his battle against cybercrimes would be a serious undertaking.

"As president, I'll make cybersecurity the top priority that it should be in the 21st century," he said. "I'll declare our cyberinfrastructure a strategic asset and appoint a national cyber advisor who will report directly to me. We need to prevent terrorists or spies from hacking into our national security networks. We need to develop new standards for the cybersecurity that protects our most important infrastructure -- from electrical grids to sewage systems; from air traffic control to our markets."