NSA CTO Patrick Dowd Moonlighting For Private Security Firm

First time accepted submitter un1nsp1red (2503532) writes Current NSA CTO Patrick Dowd has taken a part-time position with former-NSA director Keith Alexander's security firm IronNet Cybersecurity — while retaining his position as chief technology officer for the NSA. The Guardian states that 'Patrick Dowd continues to work as a senior NSA official while also working part time for Alexander's IronNet Cybersecurity, a firm reported to charge up to $1m a month for advising banks on protecting their data from hackers. It is exceedingly rare for a US official to be allowed to work for a private, for-profit company in a field intimately related to his or her public function.' Some may give Alexander a pass on the possible conflict of interests as he's now retired, but what about a current NSA official moonlighting for a private security firm?

Comments

Conflict of interest is just what they do

[dbIII]

Conflict of interest is just what they do - ever wondered why there's a vast web of private contractors with points of failure (or patriotism) such as Snowden when it should really be a tight military operation? It's all about rewarding cronies. Retiring and getting millions funnelled into your pockets is far more lucrative than being promoted a rank.

Re:Conflict of interest is just what they do

[Anonymous Coward]

I would trust them to help secure my systems from everyone but the NSA. Seriously, look at the number of companies in the last year or so that had major hacks costing them millions in real money and countless more in future consumer revenue. I bet they would all gladly make a deal with the devil to have kept their data safe at the expense of an NSA backdoor.

Yeah, because the NSA knows how to secure themselves, right?

What happens when every US banking backdoor gets leaked unknowingly?

Shit will make Edward Snowden look like a wallet left in the bathroom when the entire US banking system is hacked overnight. You think Goldman Sachs can fuck up the global economy? Try that on for size.

Re: Conflict of interest is just what they do

[CPUmonster]

Not just paid to install the spyware but PAID up to a million USD a month! That's unreal! No wonder he is moonlighting. He is getting paid many times over his yearly salary to kill two birds with one stone. I don't see how this can be legal, but then again it is the NSA.

Re: Conflict of interest is just what they do

[Anonymous Coward]

Government regulations include a clause that there cannot be an APPEARANCE of impropriety. This includes not being able to accept gifts of over $50. Accepting a salary from another company might be construed as a gift...and if it's for knowledge you have from your job, or for expertise you have from your job, or better service because of your job, it is a gift!

Police aren't supposed to accept gifts either, but many do. The NSA might get away with such breaking of regulations because people who can expose them are afraid of reprecussions.

Resigned

[Anonymous Coward]

Amazing how all the comments are merely mocking and resigned to the fact this is happening. This should outrage you, a public official at the top of the NSA has taken on another (very high) paying private section job. This guy should be fired. Policies should be put in place to stop these people from screwing the public purse. I expect he is paid substantially to reach that level, it's a very small leap from reselling your secrets to private companies to committing treason with foreign governments.

Call it "truth in lending"

[oDDmON oUT]

This just eliminates the time frame Beltway insiders have typically had to wait while spinning through Washington's revolving doors.

It also serves to legitimize the fact we live in a corporatacracy.