By Ellen Nakashima The Pentagon is considering whether to create a new cyber-command that would oversee government efforts to protect the military's computer networks and would also assist in protecting the civilian government networks, the head of the ...

The Pentagon is considering whether to create a new cyber-command that would oversee government efforts to protect the military's computer networks and would also assist in protecting the civilian government networks, the head of the National Security Agency said yesterday.

The new command would be headquartered at Fort Meade, the NSA's director, Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, told the House Armed Services terrorism subcommittee.

Alexander, who is a front-runner to assume control of the command if it is created, said its focus would be to better protect the U.S. military's computers by marrying the offensive and defensive capabilities of the military and the NSA.

Through the command, the NSA would also provide technical support to the Department of Homeland Security, which is in charge of protecting civilian networks and helps safeguard the energy grid and other critical infrastructure from cyber-attack, Alexander said.

He stressed that the NSA does not want to run or operate the civilian networks, but help Homeland Security improve its efforts.

"So if we develop something we're going to use for the Defense Department, it makes no sense for [Homeland Security] to develop the same thing," he said in a short interview after the hearing. "They can leverage it . . . We have great technical people. We can provide them the support."...
Click here to read the content (Source Washington Post)