Ex-NSA Director Says US Cybersecurity Strategy Should Focus on Performance, Partnerships

Michael Rogers, former director of the National Security Agency, has called on the United States and its allies to explore alternative cybersecurity approaches amid a record number of attacks in 2023.

Rogers, a past Potomac Officers Club event speaker and Wash100 winner, recommended that countries assess their efforts’ success by utilizing performance metrics instead of personnel counts or funding amounts, The Record reported Saturday.

Speaking at the recent Munich Cyber Security Conference, he pointed to Ukraine’s change to a new cybersecurity model during its war with Russia as an example of a country asking itself how it can tackle issues differently.

Rogers also emphasized an integrated approach to collaboration to address cyberattacks. He explained that countries should constantly work “side by side” to facilitate speedy threat response and the ability to anticipate issues.

Emily Goldman, a U.S. Cyber Command strategist, concurred with Rogers regarding the need for collaboration with allies.

She said during the conference that countries need to set favorable cyber conditions by adopting a common mindset among hackers where they prioritize the cumulative effect of several campaigns instead of individual hacks.