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'White hat hacker' lands top US online security job

A former hacker has been appointed as a new member of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) as President Obama follows through on his pledge to clamp down on cyber crime.

Jeff Moss made his name under the pseudonym 'Dark Tangent', working as a white hat hacker and drawing attention to potential online security flaws within US government systems.

Now, it has been confirmed that the poacher has turned into the gamekeeper, with 24-year-old Moss one of 25 new members to be sworn into the growing department by DHS secretary Jack Napolitano.

Announcing the appointments, the secretary stated: "As we work to fulfil the department's core mission of securing the country against the many threats it faces, the unique insights and expertise of this diverse council will be a valuable resource."

However, no-one has yet to be appointed to the position of 'Cyber-Tsar', as outlined at the end of last month by Mr Obama.

The president explained that protecting the US computer infrastructure from hackers and viruses will be a key "national security policy" of his administration.

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