Rod Beckstrom resigns after 12 months as U.S. National Cyber Security Chief

Beckstrom stated in his resignation letter that the National Security Agency unfairly dominates cyber-policy and that the Bush administration failed to adequately fund the NCSC. Other recent Cyber Security Chiefs who has left this post are Greg Garcia, Howard Schmidt, Richard Clarke and Amit Yoran.

President Obama is conducting a review of our national security policy.

Sources:

• http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/09/rod-beckstrom-security-technology-security-beckstrom.html

• http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/03/10/2009-03-10_obamas_cybersecurity_chief_rod_beckstrom.html

• http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE5260I620090307

• http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/After-Only-12-Months-Another-US-Cyber-Chief-Resigns/

President-elect Barack Obama's Pledged to Appoint a National Cyber Security Adviser

President-elect Barack Obama's pledged to appoint a national cyber security adviser who will report to him directly. In a speech made during his run to office at Purdue University, President-elect Obama stated, "As president, I'll make cyber security the top priority that it should be in the 21st century." He also stated, "I'll declare our cyber-infrastructure a strategic asset, and appoint a national cyber adviser, who will report directly to me. We'll coordinate efforts across the federal government, implement a truly national cyber security policy and tighten standards to secure information -- from the networks that power the federal government to the networks that you use in your personal lives."

This would be a monumental improvement to the Bush’s administration since the cyber security chief is under many layers of the organizational chart within the Homeland Security Department.

Among those advising President-elect Obama on cyber security matters is Richard Clarke, former counterterrorism czar in the Clinton administration.

Rod Beckstrom announced as first Director of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC)

Rod Beckstrom announced as first Director of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC)

On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoffon recently announced Rod Beckstrom as the first Director of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). Chertoffon stated, “Rod will serve the department by coordinating cyber security efforts and improving situational awareness and information sharing across the federal government”.

For more information of Rob Beckstrom click here.