Former DHS Cyber Chief Headed To ICANN?
Computer security expert Rod Beckstrom, who served as director of the Homeland Security Department's National Cybersecurity Center in the Bush administration, could become the new president and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, sources close to the California-based nonprofit tell Tech Daily Dose. Paul Twomey, who has held the position for six years, announced his departure in March. Since that time the group has faced intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill in the run up to September's expiration of a formal oversight relationship between ICANN and the Commerce Department. At a hearing earlier this month, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee called for an extension of the arrangement amid concerns about the 11-year-old organization's transparency, accountability, budget processes, and stakeholder relationships.
If approved by the ICANN board, Beckstrom would bring a unique background to the post. In his role at DHS, Beckstrom reported to the DHS Secretary and was charged with cooperating directly with high-level officials at the Justice and Defense Departments, the National Security Council, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. At age 24, Beckstrom launched his first company, CATS Software, and grew it into a global enterprise. He sold the business and later cofounded Mergent Systems, a database firm that was acquired for $200 million. The Stanford University graduate also cofounded a global CEO peace network that initiated diplomatic efforts between India and Pakistan.
Additionally, Beckstrom co-authored four books including The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations, which offers advice on analyzing organizations and competitive strategy. ICANN Vice President Paul Levins would not confirm Beckstrom's selection but said a "leading candidate" had been chosen and initial contract discussions were underway. The candidate will attend a major ICANN meeting slated to begin in Sydney on Sunday. There he will meet with the board face-to-face and will be introduced to members of the ICANN community, Levins said. The board expects to be in a position to approve the new CEO when it convenes next Friday, he added. Read more about ICANN's Sydney meeting here.
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