Navy cyber warfare chief is Obama's pick to lead NSA
WASHINGTON — Navy cryptologist Michael S. Rogers is President Obama's top choice to take over the embattled National Security Agency — which conducts electronic surveillance operations worldwide — and the Pentagon's cyber warfare command, officials say.
Rogers' experience includes 30 years in the Navy, where he rose to vice admiral and managed the intelligence portfolio for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Currently, he runs the Navy's cyber warfare arm.
If confirmed by the Senate, Rogers, 54, will succeed Gen. Keith Alexander, who is retiring after leading the NSA through one of the toughest periods in its history — the hemorrhaging of secrets by former contractor Edward Snowden. That will put Rogers in the public eye for the foreseeable future.
In the latest leak, the New York Times, ProPublica and the Guardian reported Monday that the NSA and its British counterpart, the Government Communications Headquarters, or GCHQ, can secretly collect an individual's location, age, sex and other personal data from smartphone applications, including such popular apps as the game Angry Birds.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-nsa-chief-20140128,0,7074152.story
