An informed and motivated electorate in a modern republic/democracy is arguably the best defense. Sadly, being the reformed idealist that I am, that gives me little comfort since I don't see a lot of evidence that such societies exist or at least not in the US. Information is power and people will always struggle for an edge so I'm not surprised at all this going on. However, I don't believe the level of competence at the NSA (or the CIA) warrants the fear it seems to evoke in a lot of people. Have you ever seen a government pay scale? Given the ludicrous sums of money the US spends on intelligence they should know what color Putin's underwear is going to be each morning before he does. I remember reading an article a few years ago about quantum entangled communications that were theoretically unbreakable. Anybody else know anything about this? If everybody had access to truly secure communications what might the implications be? Great topic.