NSA leaks supremo to become new deputy

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/18/nsa-leaks-chief-new-deputy

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The man who heads a new taskforce at the National Security Agency to handle information leaks, is expected to take over as the deputy director of the spy agency after the current deputy retires in January, sources have told Reuters news agency.

Richard Ledgett is the executive in charge of matters related to unauthorised media disclosures, a position that was created after the leaks to media of top-secret surveillance programmes by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden earlier this year. Ledgett's duties include overseeing improvements to internal systems and assessing what information has been taken in unauthorised disclosures. He was previously director of the NSA's Threat Operations Centre and director for collection/national intelligence manager for cyber at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

He is expected to replace John "Chris" Inglis, who is due to retire in January, said sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. An NSA spokeswoman declined to comment.

Next year, the director and deputy directors of NSA and Cyber Command will be stepping down, giving President Barack Obama an opportunity to reshape the leadership structure. Army General Keith Alexander, who wears the dual hat of NSA director and head of Cyber Command, plans to leave in March.

Cyber Command has the authority to engage in both defensive and offensive operations in cyberspace. The vacancies give Obama the opportunity to decide whether the NSA and Cyber Command should have separate leaders.

The deputy at Cyber Command, Marine Corps Lieutenant General Jon Davis, is due to leave in June when his two-year assignment is completed.

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