The White House has decided not to change a policy that allows one military official to lead both the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, Federal News Radio reported Friday.Jason Miller writes the decision comes after an interagency review panel concluded that having a dual-hat leadership structure is the most effective way to achieve the agencies’ missions.
“Without the dual-hat arrangement, elaborate procedures would have to be put in place to ensure that effective coordination continued and avoid creating duplicative capabilities in each organization,” White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement obtained by the radio station.
Hayden added that Cyber Command relies on NSA’s cryptology expertise in order to safeguard military networks, according to the report.
The White House ordered a working group in August to examine the U.S.’ collection of intelligence and other technical information and submit recommendations by Dec. 15, Miller added.
Army Gen. Keith Alexander, currently in charge of the NSA and Cyber Command, plans to step down in 2014.
