[Starman_Jones]

I understand where you're coming from, but let me offer a different perspective. There's a certain class of individual who loves the challenge of "breaking" something, but prefers the reduced problem space, risk mitigation, and formal validation that such a job provides. Look at the schools with the top cybersecurity competition teams, and you'll find fertile recruiting ground for such individuals. The NSA knows this, and actively recruits these individuals from these schools. Arguably, they provide a more comfortable working environment for those so inclined than your typical big tech job would provide. With regards to the effectiveness, the recent Kaspersky hacks should show that the feds have some capability in this regard.