The U.S. is acting all aghast, shocked and indignant that wikileaks could happen. Yet by it's own design it has pretty much guaranteed that such occurrences would happen. In fact we are surprised that they have not happened more often as it would appear that as fast as the government develops a secure network they immediately break it. Set ups for failure at taxpayer expense that will probably end up not in legislation to hold officials responsible but more calls for censorship and more money to make and break more secret stuff.
Enter Siprnet, which is an acronym for Secret Internet Protocol Router Network. So what the hell is that?
Its complete architecture will be achieved by constructing a new worldwide backbone router system. The primary method for secret-level network connectivity is via Base secret-level networks which in turn provide Base Router connectivity to SIPRNET. Various DOD router services and systems will migrate onto the SIPRNET backbone router network to serve the long-haul data transmission needs of the users.
The Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET) has matured to be the core of our warfighting command and control capability. Many expeditionary commanders ask for SIPRNET ahead of secure voice when deploying their forces. (we chose this description found here over the way over the top description found here).Or put more simply it's kinda like a secret internet, run by the the defense department where secret folk can send and receive information about secret stuff. Which if your a government with national security issues might be a good thing to have.
Problem is, after the terrorists attacks of 9-11, the government linked up different agencies in an effort to insure vital information did not get trapped in "information silo's."
So now, according to the Guardian.co.UK, a 1993 study by the GAO we had identified 3,067,000 people cleared to "secret" and above.
Since then, the size of the security establishment has grown appreciably. Another GAO report in May 2009 said: "Following the terrorist attacks on September 11 2001 the nation's defence and intelligence needs grew, prompting increased demand for personnel with security clearances." A state department spokesman today refused to say exactly how many people had access to Siprnet.Now of course the government ain't stupid. They built in a number of safeguards to insure the security of this secure network. But then again......
In practice these multiple layers of security were relaxed to make the system as easy to use as possible. There have been suggestions that an alarm system to detect suspicious use of the network was suspended for US military personnel in Iraq after they complained it was inconvenient.The state department declined to comment on this but spokesman PJ Crowley said: "The defense department is reviewing all of their relevant procedures and taking appropriate action. In the interim, the state department has ensured that essential material reaches those who need it."Now should we feel better? I think not since on Oct. 25, 2010 we reported here, Dept. of tresuary wants you to laugh while government computers are hacked? ,as of July 85 percent of the Fed security leaders don't know how to use or do they understand their new security system, CyberScope, which they were supposed to know how to use as of last month!
Of course we would be remiss if we did not mention that CyberScope is security tool developed by Homeland Security.
Now despite our concern over the expenditures added to our already out of control debt, we might take a bit of solace in this incompetence.
As we reported here, AMERICA LOST on November, 08, 2007 about an MSNBC story on a whistle blower telling "Keith Olbermann that a copy of all internet traffic passing over AT&T lines was copied into a locked room at the company's San Francisco office -- to which only employees with National Security Agency clearance had access -- via a cable splitting device."
Or here in August of 2007 I Might just become a CONSPIRACY nut!, on the programs known as the ECHELON PROJECT: and CARNIVORE.
It would seem that the government has been trying for awhile to get this lets find and keep secrets stuff right. That being said in may be in "our" best interest that they keep breaking what they make.
Then again, there is the little matter of all these nukes laying around?
There is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. John F. Kennedy.Add to Technorati Favorites
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