Article Entry
12 Mar 2009
Comments:3
News Summary: Information Sharing Challenges; Alexander Candidate for Cyber Czar; NSA Not Good Choice for Taking Over Cybersecurity?
Added by USGIF Category: Daily Intelligence Brief
We never fall short of coming across news regarding the intelligence community that is relevant to our readers. As such, we wanted to provide the following primer on recent important news. From contradictions on progress on the information sharing front to negative commentary on NSA taking over the cyberwarfare front, we have have it all here for you. As always, please share with us your thoughts and comments.
Not Making the Connection When it Comes to Information Sharing?
The Markle Foundation Task Force on National Security in the Information Age recently put out a study that claims that the U.S. government still can’t link critical pieces of information that could warn of an impending terrorist plot. Read the Wall Street Journal article here. But, first, didn’t we just do a post about the use of Web 2.0 and collaborative tools to help the Intelligence Community better share information? It seems that the technology early adopters believe that we are making strides, where as Markle Foundation does not.
Mapping Out Cyberattacks Can Help National Defense
It has become clear that the treat of cyberattacks from rogue states can pose a threat to our nation’s defense. For better or worse, cyberwarfare is here to stay. In terms of good news on this topic, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have been mapping out attacks against large-scale computer networks to develop massive cyberattack simulations. And their good work could help protect our country. Read more here.
Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander to be Cyber Czar
Speaking of cyberwarfare, it was reported today that the Obama administration is moving ahead with plans to name National Security Agency (NSA) Director Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander as the new Cybersecurity Czar. Read more here.
“Grave Peril” if NSA Takes Over Cybersecurity?
In even more cyber news, Amit Yoran, former head of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Division, said that government’s national cybersecurity efforts would be in “grave peril” if they were dominated by the intelligence community. His reasoning is that these cyber efforts “would be ill-advised” due to the agency’s lack of transparency. Read more here.
Uncertainty Swirling Around Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program
Finally, according to Defense Systems, this future military satellite network hits key technology targets, but costs and alternative capabilities could keep the $20 billion program from getting into orbit. Read more here.
As always, please share with us your thoughts and insights!
Tags: Cyber Czar, Cyber Security, cyberwarfare, Intelligence Community, Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, National Security Agency, NSA, Transformational Satellite Communications System, TSAT
From Linked-In:
“Though I believe this could be a good step in the right direction for getting a handle on cybersecurity, I believe a public relations battle brewing. The general public seems to have a poor perception of NSA, rightly or wrong, and giving the agency control over the “cyber world” will probably turn an uninformed public into skeptics and skeptics into conspiracy theorists.”
From Linked-In:
“While I disagree that the nation will be in peril if NSA led our Cyber Security efforts, is simply a bad idea. Everyone agrees that NSA is a key player in the Cyber effort, and will execute a huge portion of our cyber efforts. That said, making them the “public face” of our efforts plays right into the “Big Brother & Black helicopter” crowd. Can you imagine any administration, particularly this one trying to sell the chief SIGINT spy as being “in charge” of the Internet? The already significant concerns about privacy and civil liberties would explode. The POTUS needs to pick someone in a different job to lead. Steve Bucci”
From Linked-In: “Seems to me NSA does a great job of gathering the intelligence (privacy issues aside). And hard to argue they have the bulk of US government cyber talent. But putting them in charge of all cyber does not get to the point of needing someone to integrate overall US govt cyber activities. If there is an organization in govt we do not want collaborating and coordinating – it is NSA. At a time when we are already over classifying much of cyber and public / private partnerships are lacking – hard to imagine NSA having the big stick.”