US security chief asks hackers for help at Def Con conference

In an unprecedented move, the head of the National Security Agency sought common ground with hackers.

In a speech to the annual Def Con meeting in Las Vegas this weekend, General Keith Alexander, who heads the NSA said that hackers and governments needed to come together to secure the internet.

"This is the world's best cybersecurity community," said Gen. Alexander, reported CNet. "In this room right here is the talent our nation needs to secure cyberspace."

He went on to say, "This community, better than anyone, understand(s) what we need to do" to address these problems.

The audience gave an unsurprisingly modest applause and many expressed concern about what they were being asked to do, said Reuters.

"Americans pay taxes so that federal agencies can defend them," said an expert who asked not to be named, according to Reuters.

"I see it as a hard sell asking a business entity to spend money for the common good."

Reuters also reported that Alexander walked the conference floor meeting with attendees who were cool but polite.

PCWorld said that he even told young hackers that they should join the NSA when they grew up.

Tension between the US security agency and hackers is not uncommon given the agency's work to break-up hacker groups and foil their attacks on governments and companies.