Eric Chabrow writes McConnell managed vital programs and presidential directives to enhance countermeasures against cyber threats since Mark Weatherford left the position in April.
Allan Friedman, Brookings Institution research director for the Center for Technology Innovation, says McConnellâs resignation could affect the administration of directorate initiatives in line with other federal projects.
Franklin Reeder, Center for Internet Security co-founder, was also quoted to have said in the report, “Losing both Mark and Bruce at the same time would be a double whammy for the DHS cybersecurity program.”
McConnell is the fifth cybersecurity official to resign from DHS since September 2012 when Janet Napolitano expressed her intent to leave as secretary of the department.
Jane Holl Lute and Michael Locatis also left their posts earlier this year.
“The progress he promoted and the collaborative leadership style he modeled will continue as fitting legacies,” Suzanne Spaulding, DHS acting undersecretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, said of McConnell.