United States Government Considering Splitting NSA And Cybersecurity Departments

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is considering a proposal to split the job now held by one military commander who oversees both the National Security Agency and cybersecurity operations.

Gen. Keith Alexander is top officer at U.S. Cyber Command and the NSA, and he's retiring next spring. White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden says it's a "natural point" to consider a change.

The concentration of power over two such different missions has been controversial.

Hayden says Alexander's joint leadership was designed so the two organizations complement each other. But she says while no final decision has been made, the administration wants to ensure current and future security needs are being addressed.

The consideration was first reported Thursday in The Washington Post. It comes as the NSA's sweeping spy powers are under increasing scrutiny.

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