NSA research director explains agency’s pursuit of a potential ‘economic weapon of mass destruction’

The National Security Agency’s Gilbert Herrera knows many people may not understand why his agency is funding research that could help produce an “economic weapon of mass destruction.” Mr. Herrera, NSA’s research director, said Wednesday that the potential invention of a useful quantum computer could be deployed as an unfathomable weapon, but it could also bring untold benefits for everyone. He gave a rare glimpse into why the NSA would “fund research that could be used to create a computer that could threaten the global economy” in remarks to the...