NSA reviewing official’s part-time private work

KEN DILANIAN
AP Intelligence Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Security Agency says it is reviewing its decision to allow a top official to work part time for a cybersecurity firm that is pitching its services to the financial sector.

NSA’s Chief Technical Officer, Patrick Dowd, was given permission to work up to 20 hours a week at IronNet Cybersecurity, a private firm. The company was founded by Keith Alexander, a retired Army general who used to run the NSA and the U.S. Cyber Command.

The arrangement raises a host of questions, because the NSA has access to classified information about cyberthreats. IronNet expects to make “a lot” charging companies to protect them from such threats, Alexander has said.

NSA said in a statement Friday that it is reviewing the matter.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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