The DoD hires tech talent, partners with tech orgs on R&D, and contracts with tech companies for expertise. When trust is broken, those relationships are strained.
The DoD obviously contracts with tech companies. Historically, I gather, there was lots of ~blind patriotism. For maybe 20 years, the NSA was officially "No Such Agency". That's far less so now, clearly.
Regarding talent, the CIA and NSA clearly recruit in academia. However, I've read that the NSA also draws heavily on enlisted personnel, and trains them in house. Also, I've read that it recruits from the non-white-hat hacker community. But maybe that's dated information.
Regarding talent, the CIA and NSA clearly recruit in academia. However, I've read that the NSA also draws heavily on enlisted personnel, and trains them in house. Also, I've read that it recruits from the non-white-hat hacker community. But maybe that's dated information.