Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

McCain vows to block proposed separation of NSA, cyber command

September 13, 2016 | By Reuters
U.S. Senator John McCain speaks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator John McCain said on Tuesday he would use his power to block the confirmation of a key cybersecurity official if necessary to prevent any Obama administration move to separate the U.S. Cyber Command from the National Security Agency.

Advertisement

“I do not believe rushing to separate the ‘dual hat’ in the final months of an administration is appropriate, given the very serious challenges we face in cyberspace,” McCain, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said at a hearing.

“Dual hat” refers to one individual holding both positions.

Current and former U.S. officials told Reuters in August that President Barack Obama’s administration was preparing to elevate the stature of the Department of Defense’s Cyber Command, including separating it from the NSA.

Officials argued that the focus of the NSA, a spy agency responsible for electronic eavesdropping, is gathering intelligence, often favoring the monitoring of an enemy’s cyber activities.

Cyber Command’s mission is geared more to shutting down cyber attacks – and, if ordered, counter attacking.

McCain said the two agencies must work closely together to protect U.S. national security and he would block any nominee if that person was not nominated both to run the NSA and lead Cyber Command.

He also said he wanted the administration to provide his panel with detailed plans of its proposed reorganization.

“This committee does not take well to being stonewalled while their colleagues in the administration leak information to the press,” McCain said.

Admiral Mike Rogers, the current NSA director and head of Cyber Command, told the hearing that he did not think it was in the best U.S. national security interest at this point to separate the two functions.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Bill Trott)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC8C0SE-VIEWIMAGE

← Previous Post Next Post →
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Share  On Facebook

When a Carefree Day In The Woods Turns Into The Spookiest Day of Your Life

Hispanics shaken by heavy toll at Orlando club massacre

District of Columbia approves $15/hour minimum wage

Arrest made in arson at Florida mosque where gunman prayed

Firefighters battle California wildfires, bulldozer operator dies

Police seeking man in killing of two homeless men in San Diego

‘Gokseong’ director apologises to cast for demanding shoot

Expanding web of lawsuits follows Chicago police shooting

‘Don’t Breathe’ Frightens Competition at Labor Day Box Office

Cincinnati gorilla killed after boy falls into zoo enclosure

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy