[ISN] Former Cyber-Security Chief to Head CIA's Venture Capital Arm

[InfoSec News]

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1907899,00.asp

By Caron Carlson 
January 4, 2006 

After a brief stint at the Department of Homeland Security, former
cyber-security czar Amit Yoran has gone to work for the CIA.

More specifically, Yoran this week was named president and CEO of
In-Q-Tel Inc., the CIA's venture capital unit. In-Q-Tel, based in
Menlo Park, Calif., was established in 1999 as a way for the
government to invest in novel technologies by providing equity,
product development funding, innovative intellectual property
arrangements and contracting guidance.

Yoran is the outfit's second chief executive, succeeding Gilman Louie.  
His experience blends private and public sector endeavors. He
graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and went on to
earn a master's degree from George Washington University.

Yoran's venture capital knowledge dates to his founding of RipTech
Inc. in 1998, which he sold to Symantec Corp. in 2002. His government
expertise includes a stint as director of the National Cyber Security
Division of the Department of Homeland Security and a job early in his
career with the Pentagon's Computer Emergency Response Team. Yoran
resigned from the Department of Homeland Security in 2004.

"Amit's lifetime experience—as an entrepreneur, a venture investor and
leader in commercial companies and national security—makes him the
perfect fit for our organization," Louie said. "His critical
understanding of key technologies and security needs will position
In-Q-Tel to continue to serve as a unique tool driving innovation
across the broader Intelligence Community."

In-Q-Tel has invested in at least 80 companies over the last six
years, generally providing between $1 million and $3 million,
according to the organization's Web site. Its stated mission is to not
only nurture technologies for government use, but also to look for
commercial counterparts to the intelligence community's enterprise
challenges.

Specific areas of interest include software for search and
categorization, translation and simulation, as well as wireless,
security, semiconductor and nanotechnology infrastructure.  
Additionally, In-Q-Tel invests in biotechnology, power and sensor
technologies.