NSA Chief Seeks Bigger Cybersecurity Role

The National Security Agency director and other intelligence officials have been making the case within the Obama Administration that the NSA should play a bigger role in protecting computer networks in the US, according to current and former US officials.

The proposals from Army Gen. Keith Alexander and others would expand the NSA's authority to allow it to block or pre-empt cyberattacks targeting entities within the US and to scan for cyberthreats but not monitor the content of communications, these officials said. Gen. Alexander and other intelligence officials have raised these proposals with top military and intelligence officials, as well as the White House, current and former US officials said. Gen. Alexander also commands the US Cyber Command. The proposals are controversial because they would expand NSA's power to monitor networks domestically, potentially raising concerns about protecting civil liberties. The warrantless surveillance program established by the NSA under President George W. Bush eventually was put under court supervision. In addition, pre-empting a cyberattack raises questions about whether that could be considered an act of war in cyberspace.