National Cyber Security Center

The director of the National Cyber Security Center, Rod Beckstrom, has resigned. Beckstrom, a serial entrepreneur from Silicon Valley and author of several books, quit his position as security czar after less than one year on the job, sending a resignation letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. His last day will be March 13.

The director of the National Cyber Security Center, Rod Beckstrom, has resigned. Beckstrom, a serial entrepreneur from Silicon Valley and author of several books, quit his position as security czar after less than one year on the job, sending a resignation letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. His last day will be March 13.

The Commission on Cyber Security for the 44th Presidency released a report Monday on Internet security with recommendations. The focus of the commission, part of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, is to provide President-Elect Barack Obama's administration with insight on cybercriminal activities.

In recent years U.S. agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security, have experienced computer break-ins.

Thousands of network security professionals are in Las Vegas for the annual Black Hat Briefings computer security conference, which will be immediately followed by the DEFCON hacker convention. Both events focus on network and Internet security issues. The Black Hat conference is held at Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, while DEFCON is at the Riviera Hotel & Casino August 8-16.