Richard Ledgett
Richard Ledgett | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 18th Deputy Director of the National Security Agency | |
| Assumed office April 3, 2014 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | John C. Inglis |
| Nickname | "Rick" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
Richard H. "Rick" Ledgett, Jr. is the current Deputy Director of the National Security Agency.[1]
Education
Ledgett has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a graduate degree in strategic intelligence.
Career
In 1988, he began working for the National Security Agency, where he served in a variety of positions in the cybersecurity division.
Previous positions at NSA include Deputy Director for Analysis and Production (2009–2010), Deputy Director for Data Acquisition (2006–2009), Assistant Deputy Director for Data Acquisition (2005–2006), and Chief, NSA/CSS Pacific (2002–2005).
From 2012 to 2013 he was the Director of the NSA/CSS Threat Operations Center, responsible for round-the-clock cryptologic activities to discover and counter adversary cyber efforts.
From June 2013 to his appointment as Deputy Director in January 2014, Ledgett headed the investigation of leaks regarding NSA surveillance programs made by Edward Snowden.[2] During this time he argued for amnesty for Snowden in exchange for the return of the remaining classified documents still in his possession.[3]
Statements regarding NSA surveillance
Ledgett has pledged increased transparency regarding NSA operations. However, he has defended the operations of the NSA and argued in a rare interview with Reuters that NSA operations are completely legal.[4] Ledgett has also accused the media of sensationalizing reports about various NSA mass surveillance programs.[5]
In March 2014, Ledgett stated during a TED Talk that the NSA operates legally. He further argued that President James Madison would be proud of the way in which Constitutional checks and balances have governed NSA mass surveillance.[5]
Awards and decorations
 NSA Exceptional Civilian Service Medal
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References
- ^ "2014 Press Release – NSA's New Deputy Director". NSA.gov. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ "Biography Deputy Director of the NSA – NSA/CSS". NSA.gov. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ "NSA official in charge Edward Snowden task force says U.S. should consider granting him AMNESTY in exchange for the 1.5 million classified documents still in his possession". DailyMail.co.uk. December 14, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ Zakaria, Tabassum (December 13, 2013). "Exclusive: After 'cataclysmic' Snowden affair, NSA faces winds of change". Reuters. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ a b Bercovici, Jeff (March 20, 2014). "At TED, NSA's Deputy Director Says 'President Madison Would've Been Proud'". Forbes. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
