Google Enlists NSA To Defend Its Data

Afterbeing hit by a cyber attack from China late last year, Google is reportedly seeking guidance on cyber security from the preeminent electronic intelligence agency in the U.S., the National Security Agency (NSA).

Google and the NSA aresaid to be hammering out an agreement to allow NSA experts to assist in the investigation of the cyber attack, according toThe Washington Post. The negotiation aims to define the ways in which Google can share relevant network security information without violating privacy laws or Google policies.

Google declined to comment.

While Google’s involvement with the NSA is sure to raise privacy questions, in part due to theNSA’s controversial involvement with warrantless surveillance inside the U.S., security experts dismiss such concerns.

Fears that the Google will hand its servers over to the NSA are “completely unrealistic,” stresses Alan Paller, director of research at the SANS Institute. The NSA is an effective partner for the private sector companies because it has the highest level of in-house cyber-security expertise, he says. Other agencies tend to rely more on outside contractors, raising the risk of disclosure of corporate secrets

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