Protecting our technology infrastructure is critical. But should a spy agency, one that participated in what is surely illegal wiretapping and which is under the control of the Pentagon, have complete control over that infrastructure? The answer is surely no.

The official in charge of national cybersecurity has just resigned and made clear that excess involvment of the NSA is the reason.

The idea of the NSA taking over governmental cybersecurity efforts is not exactly new: it was discussed by a commission organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies last fall, and the agency already has some related responsibilities. Last week, Director of National Intelligence Admiral Dennis Blair suggested (PDF) to a House of Representatives committee that the NSA would be an appropriate body to take over cybersecurity efforts, saying “there are some wizards out there at Fort Meade who can do stuff.”

But Beckström warned that would be a mistake and could significantly threaten “our democratic processes…if all top level government network security and monitoring are handled by any one organization.”

More here.