Former NSA Chief Says Agency Overhaul Is Likely Needed to Keep Pace With Cyber Threats

Summary

Former NSA Director Paul Nakasone said a reported agency restructuring is likely needed to address faster cyber threats, AI and China. He highlighted shrinking response times, a temporary defender advantage in AI and the need to retain technical talent.

Key points

A reported NSA overhaul would create five mission-focused organizations covering AI, China, cybersecurity, combat support and global intelligence.
Nakasone said the restructuring is probably necessary, but its effectiveness will depend on implementation.
He cited CrowdStrike data indicating adversary lateral movement time fell from hours in 2018 to an average of 29 minutes in 2025.
Nakasone said defenders currently have a temporary AI advantage, before adversaries fully use AI against critical infrastructure and sensitive organizations.
He urged the government to improve recruitment and retention of technical talent, citing an aging national security workforce and potential retirements.

Article Details

Event Type: Reported NSA organizational restructuring, discussed by former director Paul Nakasone amid faster cyber threats, AI developments, and strategic competition with China.
Impact: The reported overhaul would establish five mission-focused organizations for artificial intelligence, China, cybersecurity, combat support, and global intelligence. Nakasone said AI has reduced the time defenders have to detect and respond to intrusions, citing an average adversary lateral-movement dwell time of 29 minutes in 2025, and said effective implementation and retaining technical talent are important.