Investigation: FBI sloppy in disposal of hard disks with sensitive data
According to the findings of an audit, the FBI, for example, does not store and dispose of data from criminal cases properly.
(Image: Dzelat/Shutterstock.com)
Unauthorized persons could view sensitive data collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the course of investigations, partly due to malfunctioning security cameras. This is the result of an investigation by the US Department of Justice.
Sensitive data could be leaked
According to their report, the current strategies and procedures of the investigative authority for collecting, storing and disposing of electronic storage media are not convincing. Among other things, hard disks and USB sticks are not classified correctly. This includes the NSI label, which indicates whether data carriers contain classified national security information.
The authors also state that physical access and security controls need to be improved. They state that they have come across non-functioning surveillance cameras in departments for the disposal of data carriers, for example.
(Image: Department of Justice)
As a result, unauthorized persons could gain access and gain access to top secret information.
Countermeasures
The US Department of Justice recommends that the FBI optimize its procedures for handling classified information. This includes, among other things, the correct labeling of data carriers in accordance with the applicable principles and guidelines. In addition, controls need to be tightened to prevent theft and loss of storage media.
Meanwhile, the FBI has taken note of the results and has assured that it will develop a guideline that takes the recommendations into account. A time frame for this is not currently known.
(des)
