Senior NSA official moonlighting for private cybersecurity firm

[bobthedrummer]

Source: by Spencer Ackerman The Guardian

Patrick Dowd recruited by former NSA director Keith Alexander

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/oct/17/senior-nsa-official-moonlighting-private-cybersecurity-firm

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Yep.

[pscot]

1. There oughtta be a law.

Since retiring from the NSA in March and entering the burgeoning field of cybersecurity consulting, Alexander has vociferously defended his ethics against charges of profiting off of his NSA credentials. Alexander was the founding general in charge of US Cyber Command, the first military command charged with defending Defense Department data and attacking those belonging to adversaries. Both positions provide Alexander with unique and marketable insights into cybersecurity

[bobthedrummer]

2. The announcement of U.S. Cyber Command's opening was in September 2013-since then there has been one

after another record hacks, breaches etc in both the public and private sectors.

Moreover the MASSIVE SURVEILLANCE continues. It's another victory for corporate FASCISM pscot.

[Man from Pickens]

9. You have to wonder

whether the recent hack on JP Morgan was due to them turning down his "generous offer"

Some of his comments in this article feel like "nice bank you got there, shame if anything happened to it"' stuff:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-03/former-nsa-chief-says-jpmorgan-hack-may-be-a-warning.html

[24601]

3. There is a law - and that's why Offices of General Counsel review outside employment for conflicts

of interest. (I'm in the civil service, but too bad for me, have no great technical skills like this guy apparently does.) Given that Cyber Command has no authority with regard to private sector networks, I'll predict that there will be no conflict. Unless the law is changed to give the government responsibility/authority over private sector networks, they have to rely on private sector cyber security. The recent record of breaches demonstrate that they need an infusion of talent in order to protect our information better. So if this stops or lessens the next big hack into Apple, Starbucks or whomever, let them have but expertise from whomever.

There doesn't seem to be much support for an alternative is to change the law and give Cyber Command, FBI & DHS jurisdiction over non-government networks.

[Man from Pickens]

7. Alexander is not profiting off of his credentials

He's selling classified information direct to Wall Street (and that's the charitable interpretation - the other interpretation is that his company is nothing more than a blackmail ring).

Keith Alexander has ZERO value without divulging classified information. That's what he's peddling, and no one should be under the illusion that the situation is anything otherwise.

[billhicks76]

12. Obama Compromised.

This would explain all of Obamas flip flops and broken promises.

[Octafish]

4. Gee. Why would an investor want to possess inside knowledge?

Why not just make it corporate, General, like Carlyle Group and its Booz Allen Hamilton, NSA's go-to contractor?

They know where wars, oops, I mean "investment opportunities," are going to happen BEFORE they're on tee vee.

Like on Star Trek, where Capt. Kirk watches the big screen on the bridge.

[bobthedrummer]

5. More like inside people's heads-literally-- better than the California Psychics Hotline or Star Trek

combined. Moonlighting, what does that euphemism signify? Mercenaries? Liars?
They are traitors, I mean folks with obvious ethical issues, brother.

[Octafish]

6. When 'money trumps peace' what can possibly constitute 'conflict of interest'?

Incredible guy, the most powerful man ever, that General. Thank you for the heads-up, Sir.

[pscot]

10. What I was thinking

As long as money changes hand it's de facto legal.

[Octafish]

11. War Is a Racket -- Now with Supercomputers

These fine former public servants will be able to spy and wage war totally automatically in a few years, skipping the middle man, delivering death to deserving if impoverished bad guys and profits, um, I mean, "tax dollars" to deserving corporations.

And the racket's been legalized. Talk about interesting times.

[aquart]

8. Fire his stupid asss.