As the US government depicts the Defense Department as shrinking due to budgetary constraints, the Washington Post this morning announces “a major expansion of [the Pentagon’s] cybersecurity force over the next several years, increasing its size more than fivefold.” Specifically, saysthe New York Times this morning, “the expansion would increase the Defense Department’s Cyber Command by more than 4,000 people, up from the current 900.” The Post describes this expansion as “part of an effort to turn an organization that has focused largely on defensive measures into the equivalent of an Internet-era fighting force.” This Cyber Command Unit operates under the command of Gen. Keith Alexander, who also happens to be the head of the National Security Agency, the highly secretive government network that spies on the communications of foreign nationals – and American citizens.
The Pentagon’s rhetorical justification for this expansion is deeply misleading. Beyond that, these activities pose a wide array of serious threats to internet freedom, privacy, and international law that, as usual, will be conducted with full-scale secrecy and with little to no oversight and accountability. And, as usual, there is a small army of private-sector corporations who will benefit most from this expansion.
Surveillance expansion
The White House has met the enemy and it is us. I am fed up with the imposition of security measures touted to be for my protection, but focused on me as the potential perpetrator.
And of course in a testament to fiscal seriousness, we will offset these budget increases with future cuts in cat food allotments to seniors.
“…And, as usual, there is a small army of private-sector corporations who will benefit most from this expansion…”
Well, of course. How could it be otherwise?
Good times ahead, friends. Post something in the not-too-distant future and we’ll run head long into the forces of Cyber Command.
Internet freedom? Privacy? Law?
Hardy har har.