Pick to lead DOD's Cyber Command to face senators April 15

By Ben Bain

By Ben Bain

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Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, is scheduled to have his confirmation hearing to lead the Defense Department's planned Cyber Command.

that the plan to establish the command has been slowed by lawmakers' questions about the command's mission and by privacy concerns.

Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, is scheduled to have his confirmation hearing to lead the Defense Department's Cyber Command April 15 before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered the establishment of the command last June, and the organization was supposed to reach initial operating capability last October. However, senators hadn't held a confirmation session for Alexander, the Obama administration’s pick to lead the command.

The Washington Post reported in January

Meanwhile, Alexander told lawmakers that the United States should counter cyberattacks quickly and strongly and thwart or disable a threat even when it’s not known who was behind the exploit, according to an article by the Associated Press. The article cited a Senate questionnaire Alexander filled out, in which he also said the biggest challenge facing the command would be bolstering the defense of military networks.

The hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

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