Gellman vs. Lewis on leaks vs. security

By Tsion Hiletework

Best Defense guest reporter

What was
most striking about a discussion of government surveillance programs at CSIS on
Tuesday was the width of the gap between cyber-experts focusing on national
security and journalists focusing on constitutional rights.

Bart
Gellman of the Washington
Post called for more media scrutiny of the "so-called spy programs." James Lewis, a CSIS cybersecurity expert, responded, rather
dismissively, "There aren't enough people in analysis to make investigating
your private sex life priority number one."

On the
other hand, Lewis recognized the need for more transparency, while Gellman
conceded that publicly admitting to PRISM is difficult for the
government because its contents often contain private databases and warrant-based
information.

What to
take away? Well, even with the questionable intent and conduct of what Lewis
called the "NSA's free backup service," Gellman also noted that the
program has been treated as constitutional by the three branches of the federal
government. In other words, the line between terrorism protection and individual intrusion remains hazy.

Gellman
and Lewis may have contrasting opinions, but despite their differing points of
origin, they sat down at the table to talk directly. Whether the government
will be as direct in discussing its clandestine
programs seems unlikely.