In the most controversial of recommendations to be released by a commission of technology experts, it is being proposed that cyber security work be consolidated under a top White House official, so as to enable use of diplomatic, intelligence and military tools to confront threats in cyberspace.

In their report, the commissioners write: "America's failure to protect cyberspace is one of the most urgent national security problems facing the new administration." They say the battle in cyberspace "is a battle we are losing."

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, a co-chairman of the group that issued the report, said the group began the investigation after the computers at the Pentagon, NASA and the departments of State, Commerce and Homeland Security were breached in 2007.

Calling for coordination to protect nation's computer systems, the commission, in its report, compared the job of the cyber chief to that of the director of national intelligence. The cyber chief would report to the president, and have his own staff to work for the implementation of the president's cyber policies.

In a meeting with reporters last week, the outgoing Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, aware of the group's report, described defensive measures already in place. 

Meanwhile, President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is expected to use the commission's recommendations to help chart a path for the sprawling $15 billion cyber-security initiative launched this year by the Bush administration.

Obama, who promised to make cyber security a top priority, has created a separate group on his transition team dedicated to cyber security. It is led by Paul Kurtz, a member of the commission and a former cyber-security aide to the National Security Council in the Clinton and Bush administrations.