Cyber as Cost-Effective War-Fighting Tool’
Defense News reports that “Gen. Keith Alexander, current head of US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) and the National Security Agency (NSA), made what will likely be his last pilgrimage to Capitol Hill last week before his retirement this month.”
“His testimony contained the usual warnings about the continued vulnerability of US networks despite enormous efforts to patch holes. But it also included his vision for the use of cyber as a cost-effective war-fighting tool.
“’It is fair, and indeed essential, for you to ask how we are utilizing such resources while others are cutting back,’ Alexander wrote in prepared testimony. ‘Our answer is that the trained and certified teams of our cyber Mission Force are already improving our defenses and expanding the operational options for national decision-makers, the department’s leadership and joint force commanders.’”
“His likely successor awaiting confirmation, Vice Adm. Michael Rogers, even included providing “options” as his top priority in his opening statement during his confirmation hearing March 11.”