NSA Director: Agency Not Interested In Running U.S. Cybersecurity

From Dark Reader:

Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander tells security industry audience the National Security Agency wants to act as technical support in a "team" effort

SAN FRANCISCO -- RSA CONFERENCE 2009 -- It turns out the National Security Agency (NSA) doesn't want to be in charge of the U.S.'s cybersecurity operations after all: NSA's director told attendees here today that the agency sees itself as part of a team that includes the Department of Homeland Security and the security industry.

Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, who is also chief of the Central Security Service, said he wanted to set the record straight that it won't be just the NSA or DHS that will oversee the nation's cybersecurity efforts. Speculation and concerns about privacy had been running high during the past few weeks amid reports that the NSA was lobbying to head cybersecurity. Adding fuel to that fire: In February Dennis Blair, director of National Intelligence, told a House intelligence committee that the NSA should have a wider role in cybersecurity.

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My Comment: This is a bit of a surprise. Of all the agencies in the government, the NSA is best suited to be the principal player in this new department. The must be a very good reason on why opinions were changed in the past few months .... amny sometime in the future someone will tell us.