The computer and technology company, which Mr. Palmisano ran from 2002 to the end of 2011, is considered well versed in high-level computer security and privacy matters.

WSJ: Bloomberg Taps Ex-IBM Chief Palmisano to Look Into Data Practices

The agency plans to hold public hearings across the U.S. in the next two months on privacy and computer security issues before officials make a final decision on the fate of the Web site, Callahan said.

CNN: Social Security Officials Pull The Plug

He became interested in computer security in particular during his undergraduate studies, and was then drawn to the specialised field of privacy.

ECONOMIST: Brain scan