General Alexander Confirmed to Lead Cyber Command

The Senate has confirmed General Keith Alexander, director of the NSA, to lead the Pentagon’s new cyber command. The command, which is planned to be operational in October, will be conveniently based at NSA headquarters.

The command will be responsible for defending the nation against computer attacks from abroad, and also for attacking enemy computer networks.

NSA Director Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander

Official U.S. policy on cyber-warfare has not yet been clearly articulated, but in April, General Alexander asserted the legitimacy of the U.S. military returning such attacks.

“Even with the clear understanding that we could experience damage to our infrastructure, we must be prepared to fight through in the worst case scenario,” he told the Senate.

[the Washington Post]