This Week in Cyber Security: Largest Pentagon Breach and What Happened at the RSA Conference?

Melissa Hathaway

It’s been quite a week when it comes to cyber security. First up, computer spies hack into the most valuable Pentagon asset, the Joint Strike Fighter Project. In response to this, the Obama administration immediately announce plans to create a new military command to improve U.S. offensive capabilities in cyberwarfare.

Then, we have the RSA conference and things got a bit strange. First, National Security Agency (NSA) director Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander told attendees that the agency has no desire to take the responsibilities of managing U.S. cyber security from the Department of Homeland Security. Then, Melissa Hathaway, the acting senior director for cyberspace for the Obama administration, spoke at the conference and offered little detail on how the administration might seek to enhance the government’s cyber efforts. The one takeaway from her speech was that that national cyber security would be managed from the top-down by the White House.

So, what really went down this week? We had probably the most significant data breach of a U.S. defense system in history — shining a very bright light on this issue. We certainly applaud the efforts of the quickness in announcing plans for a new military command. But, the RSA conference leaves us a bit baffled. The NSA does not want to take over cyber security? Why? Do they not want to deal with the turf battle between DHS? Or, is it because cyber security is such a huge issue and they don’t want to touch it? And, finally, why no more details from Ms. Hathaway? We welcome all thoughts and feedback!