"The National Security Agency is confronting a wave of internal strain - including leadership gaps, program cuts and deferred resignation offers - on top of the ongoing government shutdown that's left parts of its workforce furloughed. Renowned for tracking targets across the world's internet backbone, the Defense Department's intelligence giant now faces conditions that risk eroding morale among analysts and weakening the agency's long-term cyber capabilities, former U.S. national security officials and others with knowledge of ongoing changes inside the agency told Nextgov/FCW."
"A major leadership gap has been in place for seven months. The White House recently backed down on its plans to nominate Lt. Gen. William Hartman to lead the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, a person with knowledge of the matter said. The reversal was first reported by The Record, the news unit of cybersecurity firm Recorded Future. A search to find candidates for various leadership positions at the agency continues, The Record reported last week."
"Historically, the head of NSA also leads U.S. Cyber Command in a dual-hatted manner. Hartman has led both in an acting capacity since April after the firing of Gen. Timothy Haugh, which was fueled by far-right activist Laura Loomer. The NSA's top lawyer, April Falcon Doss, was also let go after Loomer advised that she leave the agency. Those events unfolded amid a slew of recent voluntary departures of leading officials from both the agency and combatant command this year."
The National Security Agency faces sustained internal strain from leadership gaps, program cuts, deferred resignation offers and furloughs caused by the government shutdown. A major leadership vacancy has persisted for seven months after the White House withdrew plans to nominate Lt. Gen. William Hartman to lead NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, leaving acting leadership in place. Hartman has served in an acting capacity since April following the firing of Gen. Timothy Haugh. The agency also lost its top lawyer, April Falcon Doss, and saw multiple voluntary departures of senior officials. Morale is depressed and long-term cyber capabilities face erosion. Candidate searches for leadership positions continue.
Read at Nextgov.com
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