Activity Quote by Edward Snowden
“The community of technical experts who really manage the internet, who built the internet and maintain it, are becoming increasingly concerned about the activities of agencies like the NSA or Cyber Command, because what we see is that defense is becoming less of a priority than offense.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2013, "Snowden on NSA and Cybersecurity", The Guardian
Highlights concern that offensive cyber operations are prioritized over defensive security, threatening internet stability.
In simple terms: Offense outweighs defense in cyber policy, raising risks.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for stronger defensive cybersecurity measures.
Themes
security
policy
technology
privacy
Mood
serious
concerned
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- internet governance
- national security
- corporate cybersecurity
Key Concepts
offense vs defense
government surveillance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can defense be strengthened?
- What are the trade‑offs of offensive cyber tactics?
A Different Perspective
May understate defensive successes.
![“I believe that when [senator Ron] Wyden and [senator Mark] Udall asked about the scale of this, they [the NSA] said it did not have the tools to provide an answer. We do have the tools and I have maps showing where people have been scrutinised most. We collect more digital communications from…” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/549/edward-snowden-555_america_i-believe-that-when-senator-ron-wyden-an_201712.jpg)
![“[Brazil] went to the UN and said, "We need new standards for this." We need to take a look at what they're calling "data sovereignty."” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af7/edward-snowden-555_brazil_brazil-went-to-the-un-and-said-we-need-n_14906.jpg)
![“There was a real choice when [Barack Obama] became president. It was a very difficult choice - to say, "We're not going to hold senior officials to account with the same laws that every other citizen in the country is held to," or "This is a nation that believes in the rule of law."” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/104/edward-snowden-555_accounts_there-was-a-real-choice-when-barack-obam_27838.jpg)
