Clinton and Bob Dix, vice president of government affairs at Juniper Networks, also praised Obama for saying that the new cybersecurity coordinator will be a member of both the U.S. National Security Agency and the National Economic Council. "That's important because it means the president understands the need not just to look at the cybersecurity issue as a discreet, boutique technology issue -- which is the way a lot of people have treated it -- but rather as a fundamental element that affects all of our economy," Clinton said.

The major concern about the announcement was that it lacked detail. Obama didn't name a cybersecurity adviser, and the administration's cybersecurity strategy has yet to be developed.

"I think we're headed in a new direction," said Phil Dunkelberger, CEO of PGP, a vendor of cybersecurity products. "I think time is going to tell if it's the right direction."

The details of the plan will determine whether it's successful, Dunkelberger said.

Still, Dunkelberger said he was "pleasantly surprised" with Obama's speech. Former President George Bush also had a goal of improving cybersecurity, but Obama said cybersecurity is a personal goal, he said.