WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The Department of Homeland Security will hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity experts over the next three years to help protect U.S. computer networks , an Obama administration official said . Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano seeks to hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity experts . `` Cybersecurity is one of our most urgent priorities , '' said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in making the announcement Thursday . She unveiled the plans at an event marking the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month . `` This new hiring authority will enable DHS to recruit the best cyberanalysts , developers and engineers in the world to serve their country by leading the nation 's defenses against cyberthreats , '' according to Napolitano . U.S. officials are mindful that both government and private sector computer sites have been targeted , and consequences can be dire . The Internet , Napolitano said , is `` a critical part of our everyday lives and how our society and our economy operate . '' She added , `` We rely on cybernetworks to control and manage transportation , electricity , banking . '' Department officials could not say precisely how many cyberexperts now work at DHS and its various component agencies such as the Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement . Napolitano said she doubts it will be necessary to fill all 1,000 of the authorized positions , but she is focused on making DHS a `` world-class cyberorganization . '' The Obama administration has set cybersecurity as a top priority but has yet to hire a cyberczar to head up its efforts . Chris Painter , the White House National Security Staff 's acting senior director for cybersecurity , said the president remains committed to finding someone for the post .
` ` Cybersecurity is one of our most urgent concerns , '' says DHS chief Janet Reno . Action to protect U.S. computer networks will occur over the next three years . Reno considers the networks too crucial to be so vulnerable to attack .