Comments on: Former FBI Contract Linguist Pleads Guilty to Leaking Classified Information to Blogger

By: BW AN INVESTIGATOR

BW AN INVESTIGATOR — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:02:50 +0000

Jeffrey and CI App,

Funny how we use all the technology in the world and the best info of this guy’s prior indiscretions are found on google!!!!!!!!! I too agree with both of your assessments, but no amount of training will stop someone hell bent on doing what he did–there is no doubt in my mind this was his intentions from jumpstreet. Jeffrey, I somehow think we have forgot about the insider threats–your thoughts?

By: NewCIapplicant

NewCIapplicant — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:10:53 +0000

Great suggestions Jeffrey. Quality training in areas like confidentiality, professionalism (and just plain old good judgment) seems to be in short supply in many law enforcement agencies. Lots of time is spent on tactical training, report writing, interviewing/interrogating, even computer training, but more training is needed on protecting important information. I think there is just an assumption that employees know better than to disclose information and will read, correctly interpret and follow policies/procedures like they’ve been told to do. In this cell phone texting, twittering, blogging culture, it’s hard for some people to keep their social life and their work life separate, and early signs of problems should not be ignored.

By: Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP

Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:51:20 +0000

This just stresses the importance of good security training, protection and oversight. Security specialists in the government and Facility Security Officers for cleared contractors are responsible for ensuring cleared employees understand their roles in protecting classified information.

The failure may not only lie with those adjudicating the clearances, but also with other cleared employees not noticing the warning signs. Often indicators are displayed by those who disclose classified information in an unauthorized manner.

Our biggest threat is not an adversary breaking in and stealing our secrets. Cleared employees, like the one in the article, are breaking the law and the trust placed in them. Security managers should continue to reinforce training and ceaselessly work to ensure Cleared employees protect classified information and report suspicious activities.