The compromise of defense secrets remains a growing problem and the war on terror has limited the Pentagons ability to conduct effective counterintelligence, according to a report by the Defense Science Board.
The report called for new methods to make stealing more difficult for those with access to classified information, including behavior analysis of cleared workers and identifying dangerous people; advanced computer network monitoring; and watermarking classified documents, both digital and paper.
For almost two decades, the counterintelligence mission has not received the sustained and focused attention that it needs to protect the nation from stand-alone actors or actors working under the direction of a foreign intelligence service, said Eric D. Evans, chairman of the science board.
The damage that such actors can cause to U.S. national security has grown substantially as classified information is increasingly stored on computers, making more of it available to retrieve and easier to spread, he added.
Mr. Evans stated in a memorandum to the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering that adversaries have made a concerted effort to access classified and business proprietary information, either to thwart U.S. national security objectives or to advance their own military and civil sectors.
It is long past time for the United States to address the insider threat and reduce damage caused by leaked or stolen national security information, he declared.
The report focuses on insider threats the intelligence term for people with access to intelligence who disclose that information to spies or news media.
The compromise of defense secrets is a large and growing problem of individuals working for or with the U.S. government leaking or stealing national security information, said Robert Nesbit and William Schneider, co-chairmen of a board task force that produced the August report. The reports bottom line: Leaks and theft of secrets by insiders are enhanced by the outsider threat foreign spy services.
Yet counterintelligence (CI) operations continue to focus on a case-by-case approach with a strong law enforcement emphasis in dealing with escalating foreign intelligence threats, the report said.
National CI resources (with a few noteworthy exceptions) are concentrated within the United States rather than engaging the foreign intelligence services abroad, thus ceding an advantage to the adversary.
The task force recommends integrating proactive counterintelligence operations within larger national security strategy and planning.
The purpose would be twofold: 1) to develop an understanding of foreign intelligence organizations, motives, targets, tools and vulnerabilities; and 2) to develop policy options to weaken the adversarys intelligence enterprise as U.S. national security objectives might dictate, the report said.
The report is the latest criticism of U.S. counterintelligence weaknesses that have resulted in a string of disasters stretching from Beijing to Tehran.
Beginning in 2010, the CIA lost an estimated 27 agents in China because of poor counterintelligence. The losses were the result of Chinese spies inside the CIA or a breakdown of agent communication security.
A similar disaster occurred in Iran. In 2019, Air Force counterintelligence officer Sgt. Monica Witt defected to Iran, where the government claimed to have arrested as many as 40 people it identified as CIA agents.
The report concludes that without actionable intelligence regarding foreign spy activities, the Pentagon will continue to be at a severe disadvantage in identifying and containing insider threats. Pentagon counterintelligence also needs a major technology upgrade in operations and advanced data processing to improve counterspy efforts.
The report also identifies 44 Pentagon departments and agencies it says have been quite slow in meeting standards used to identify insider threats.
A significant number of costly compromises resulted from insiders circumventing the security on classified [Defense Department] and intelligence community networks with relative ease, the report said. Despite lessons learned from high-profile insider cases, well-established and high-priority security controls continue to be absent or are malfunctioning. It is difficult to imagine a good excuse for this neglect.
The first recommendation in the unclassified report was not disclosed and was listed as for official use only.
Other recommendations include requiring the Pentagons insider threat program office to produce better risk-rating tools and to create a technology sensor array that can be used to better identify threats. Improved cybercontrols are needed throughout the Pentagon to encrypt classified data in all removable media and mobile devices.
The Pentagon also needs to target foreign spies confidence in the value and validity of stolen secrets. That can be done by expanding the use of data obfuscation technology encryption, tokenization and irreversible data-masking.
Michael Griffin, the former undersecretary of defense for research and engineering who requested the study in 2018, stated in an annex to the report that the United States has suffered extensive losses of critical national security data to adversaries.
Two of the most spectacular cases, he said, were former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, who stole 1.7 million NSA documents, and NSA contractor Harold T. Martin III, who stole around 50 terabytes of data from the NSA over 20 years.
Army Pvt. Bradley Manning, who stole 750,000 documents, also illustrates the scale of the problem, Mr. Griffin said.
The purloined data confer extensive insights into U.S. capabilities that cost hundreds of billions of dollars to create, sustain and protect, Mr. Griffin said.
The task force was made up of 20 current and former officials, including former National Counterintelligence Executive Michelle Van Cleave; former DIA counterintelligence officer Nicholas Eftimiades, a China counterspy specialist; and Richard Haver, who conducted several damage assessments for U.S. intelligence agencies.
KISSINGER REDUX?
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the architect of the pro-business appeasement policies toward China, is set to make a comeback, should presumptive President-elect Joe Biden assume office.
Mr. Kissinger said during a conference Monday that a Biden administration should return to the accommodationist policies of the past in order to avoid a World War I-level catastrophe in U.S.-Chinese relations.
America and China are now drifting increasingly toward confrontation, and theyre conducting their diplomacy in a confrontational way, Mr. Kissinger, 97, told Bloomberg News. The danger is that some crisis will occur that will go beyond rhetoric into actual military conflict.
Mr. Kissinger has continued to advise officials of the Trump administration despite his disagreements with President Trumps new, tougher approach to dealing with Beijing. He has met with Mr. Trump and was a private adviser to the Trump administrations first defense secretary, James Mattis.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the leading force behind the current get-tough China policy, also has had conversations with Mr. Kissinger.
Mr. Biden is widely expected to return to the less-confrontational policies favored by large corporations that are seeking access to Chinas vast market of consumers.
NAVARRO ON INTERNAL CHINA DEBATE
White House official Peter Navarro continues to be the most formidable infighter for President Trumps America First policies toward China.
Mr. Navarro, assistant to the president and director of trade and manufacturing policy, has clashed with the pro-China trade officials in the administration over policy, notably Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow, both of whom are said to favor pro-business policies.
Mr. Navarro indirectly commented on the internal debate during a briefing for reporters last week on the executive order barring U.S. financial investment in Chinese companies linked to the Peoples Liberation Army.
The order is aimed at blocking more than $500 billion in investments by Chinese military-linked companies in U.S. and foreign markets.
Asked if there was a vigorous debate within the administration on the new order, Mr. Navarro said only: President Trump is president. He took the action today with full support of this administration.
Contact Bill Gertz on Twitter at @BillGertz.
Visit link:
Pentagon counterspy report shows threats growing - Washington Times
- The Bradley Manning Trial: A Short(ish) Guide To Understanding ... - NPR - May 3rd, 2023
- Bradley Manning: the angry young man who turned whistleblower - March 31st, 2023
- Bradley Manning timeline | Chelsea Manning | The Guardian - March 31st, 2023
- Bradley Manning Sentenced to 35 Years for WikiLeaks - January 6th, 2023
- A Plan to Let Soldiers Interact with the Army Cloud Using Their Own Devices Got a Bit Clouded - Forbes - September 13th, 2022
- Jarren Duran moved to right field with Jackie Bradley Jr. in center as Boston Red Sox look to avoid sweep Thu - MassLive.com - July 18th, 2022
- Explained: Julian Assange extradition order and charges against the Wikileaks founder - The Indian Express - April 28th, 2022
- Culture of impunity - The News International - November 19th, 2021
- Punishing the conscientious - The News International - July 30th, 2021
- Assange has until 29 March to respond to US appeal over extradition - iTWire - February 21st, 2021
- Chelsea Manning's mother, 65, drowned in bath while heavily intoxicated with alcohol, inquest hears - MEAWW - December 24th, 2020
- University of Iowa Health Care reduces hospitalizations through 'virtual hospital' model - kwwl.com - November 26th, 2020
- Forgotten lessons on the evil of intervention - newagebd.net - November 26th, 2020
- The Korean War's Forgotten Lessons on the Evil of Intervention - Consortium News - November 20th, 2020
- The Korean War's Forgotten Lessons on the Evil of Intervention - CounterPunch - November 18th, 2020
- Obama Commutes Bradley (Chelsea) Manning & Oscar Lopez ... - August 1st, 2020
- Pte Bradley Manning The Celtic League - July 27th, 2020
- WikiLeaks published 75,000 classified US military documents on the Afghanistan War 10 years ago - American Military News - July 25th, 2020
- Accused Whistleblower Bradley Manning Begins Court ... - July 24th, 2020
- Manning calls for dismissal of charges against him - The Hindu - July 24th, 2020
- NEW: Judge Orders Chelsea (Bradley) Manning to be Released ... - July 21st, 2020
- The Judicial Lynching of Bradley Manning - Global ... - July 21st, 2020
- Bradley Manning lawyer says case 'mishandled' as hearings ... - July 21st, 2020
- Interview - Brian Manning | WikiSecrets | FRONTLINE | PBS - July 21st, 2020
- University of Iowa doctors monitor and help COVID-19 patients remotely - UI The Daily Iowan - June 30th, 2020
- The Korean War Atrocities No One Wants to Talk About - The American Conservative - June 30th, 2020
- Julian Assange fathered two children while hiding in Ecuadoran Embassy, alleged partner claims in video - Seattle Times - April 13th, 2020
- University of Iowa Health Care debuts 'virtual hospital' for COVID-19 patients - The Gazette - April 10th, 2020
- On 10th Anniversary of 'Collateral Murder' Release: The US Soldier Who Sought to Save Iraqi Children - Consortium News - April 10th, 2020
- Headlong and Century Films Partner With BBC Arts On UNPRECEDENTED: REAL TIME THEATRE FROM A STATE OF ISOLATION - Broadway World - April 10th, 2020
- Remember That Time John Terry Won an Oscar? The Inevitable Ellen Selfie Meme Onslaught Begins - Infosurhoy - March 31st, 2020
- During time of crisis, Rafi's reaches out to the community - Olean Times Herald - March 19th, 2020
- Assange tried to call White House, Hillary Clinton over data dump, his lawyer says - WTVB News - March 3rd, 2020
- Factbox: News and Quotes From Julian Assange's Extradition Hearing - The New York Times - March 2nd, 2020
- Julian Assange, The Glass Cage And Heaven In A Rage: Day Four Of Extradition Hearings OpEd - Eurasia Review - February 27th, 2020
- UK court told Assange tried to call White House, Hillary Clinton over data dump - Reuters - February 25th, 2020
- What is happening to Assange will happen to the rest of us - Salon - February 16th, 2020
- West: Bergdahl, Manning, Vindmanthe Progressive Left's Heroes - MRCTV - February 16th, 2020
- Bergdahl, Manning, Vindman: Heroes of the Progressive Socialist Left - CNSNews.com - February 14th, 2020
- Bradley Manning Sentenced to 35 Years for Leaking Secrets ... - January 29th, 2020
- Is Bradley Manning a Traitor or a Whistleblower? I want ... - January 10th, 2020
- The US media is in the gutter with Trump - The Japan Times - December 18th, 2019
- Obama Granted Clemency to Terrorists and Traitors, But Were Supposed to Be Angry at Trump's Pardons | News and Politics - PJ Media - November 23rd, 2019
- World News, Economics and Analysis Based on Bible Prophecy - theTrumpet.com - November 19th, 2019
- 'What happens after that is out of their control' Former military leaders and lawyers react to Trump's war crimes pardons - Task & Purpose - November 19th, 2019
- Lt. Col. Allen West Commends President Trump for His Clemency and Restoration of Rank to Three Service Members - Released by West4Texas - PRNewswire - November 16th, 2019
- Week in Review: Baghdadis fall, UK fishermen struggle with Brexit and a look inside Miss Maggies kitchen - FRANCE 24 - October 31st, 2019
- Bradley Manning Trial Begins; Prosecutor Says Leaker Gave ... - October 20th, 2019
- Thanking Bradley Manning - truthout.org - October 14th, 2019
- List of charges in United States v. Manning - Wikipedia - October 14th, 2019
- Bradley Manning Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison - Hosbeg.com - October 1st, 2019
- Bradley Manning is still a traitor. And he's also still a man. - August 30th, 2019
- LAWYER: Bradley Manning's Treatment Is A Stain On US History ... - May 18th, 2019
- 'US Withheld Hundreds Of Emails In The Bradley Manning ... - May 17th, 2019
- JUST IN: Chelsea (Bradley) Manning Ordered Back to Jail ... - May 17th, 2019
- Bradley Manning: a sentence both unjust and unfair ... - May 17th, 2019
- Chelsea Manning released from prison after 7 years of 35-year ... - May 11th, 2019
- BRADLEY MANNING: I'm Sorry - Business Insider - May 7th, 2019
- Bradley Manning Admits Providing Files to WikiLeaks - The ... - May 6th, 2019
- Bradley Manning: Is There Anyone More Normal? - reason.com - April 26th, 2019
- Bradley Manning Awaits Armys Decision on Whether to Court ... - April 26th, 2019
- Do you think Bradley Manning being stripped naked is a ... - April 26th, 2019
- Bradley Manning court-martial starts: key points in the ... - April 24th, 2019
- Intent To Harm At Center Of Bradley Manning's Trial : NPR - April 24th, 2019
- Manning Is Acquitted of Aiding the Enemy - April 14th, 2019
- Leaker Chelsea Manning stuck in jail after Assange arrest - April 12th, 2019
- Chelsea Manning Changed the Course of History. Now Shes Focusing on ... - April 12th, 2019
- Fox News reporter calls Chelsea Manning by her deadname during Julian ... - April 12th, 2019
- UPDATE 4-U.S. charges WikiLeaks' Assange with hacking conspiracy with ... - April 12th, 2019
- Assange conspired with Chelsea Manning in 2010 WikiLeaks ... - April 11th, 2019
- Assange accused of conspiring with Chelsea Manning in 2010 ... - April 11th, 2019
- Bradley Manning justice: Our view - usatoday.com - April 11th, 2019
- Chelsea Manning jailed for refusing to testify to jury on ... - April 11th, 2019
- Trial Portrays Two Sides Private in WikiLeaks Case - April 11th, 2019
- Bradley Mannings Defense is the Defense of Freedom and Dignity - April 6th, 2019
- Bradley Manning: US soldier cleared of aiding the enemy in WikiLeaks case - April 6th, 2019
- Does Bradley Manning Have Rights? - Business Insider - April 6th, 2019
- Did WikiLeaker Bradley Manning Leak Documents Because Of Don ... - April 6th, 2019
- Bradley Manning Obituary - Pittsfield, MA | The Berkshire ... - March 28th, 2019
- Bradley Manning Guilty on Most Charges, But Not Aiding Enemy ... - March 26th, 2019