[mpyne]

Network security is not NSA's job. Nor is information security. Communications security is, but only for "national security information" (i.e. classified) and military communications.

Defense against "cyber attack" isn't even NSA's job, and where NSA participates in such endeavors that's on .mil, not .gov

DHS does have responsibility for cyber security on .gov however. But what is DHS supposed to do if OPM decides to throw open the keys to the kingdom to any random "authenticated" contractor handling background checks?

P.S. NSA might somehow have caught this despite everything I mentioned if they were engaged in better "monitoring operations" on other government networks and international communications relays... is that really what you want?

[irishcoffee]

> NSA might somehow have caught this despite everything I mentioned if they were engaged in better "monitoring operations" on other government networks and international communications relays... is that really what you want?

I can think of a few million people who might have, yeah.

[mpyne]

Don't get me wrong, I'd sign up for it if the alternative is 20+ million records of private data in the hands of an unfriendly state. But then I don't think that NSA is Literally Satan™ either.

[irishcoffee]

Apologizes if I came off as snarky, I was in a bad mood. People want their privacy, and they also seem to "deserve" a reason why Victoria was fired from reddit. This un-acknowledged dichotomous ideology confuses me.

[comrade1]

It's part of their information assurance program. https://www.nsa.gov/ia/index.shtml

[mpyne]

Did you read the page you linked?

Try clicking on the "About IA at NSA" link and you'll find out what NSA means by "Information Assurance":

> NSA's Information Assurance Directorate (IAD) protects and defends National Security Information and Information Systems, in accordance with National Security Directive 42. National Security Systems are defined as systems that handle classified information or information otherwise critical to military or intelligence activities.

Or in other words, what I just said...