The FBI has faced significant lapses in handling and disposing of electronic storage media seized during investigations, according to a scathing audit by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The audit reveals that storage devices containing sensitive information, including national security data, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) material, and documents classified as Secret, were often improperly labeled or not labeled at all, heightening the risk of loss or theft.
The OIG’s report was addressed to FBI Director Christopher Wray and underscores the gravity of these findings. Despite FBI protocols mandating strict procedures for labeling and securing such data, the agency failed to consistently adhere to these guidelines. The report highlights instances where media containing classified information was stored in unapproved containers or locations, significantly compromising security. Additionally, the FBI’s process for the destruction of these devices was found to be inadequate, with critical gaps that could potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized access.
Cigent CGO Brett Hansen had this comment:
“Meeting mission requirements and the ever-evolving threat landscape can make ensuring the integrity of data throughout its lifecycle a daunting task. Organizations like the FBI first need to universally adopt proven techniques and technology for safeguarding vulnerable data at the edge. These include Hardware Full Drive Encryption with Pre-boot Authentication and Multi Factor Authentication. Proper disposal of data is also imperative and again there are technologies that can verify all data is permanently erased.”
The FBI of all people need to do a much better job of safeguarding data. Hopefully this report not only “encourages” them to do better. But sends a message to everyone else to step up their game.
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This entry was posted on August 28, 2024 at 8:40 am and is filed under Commentary with tags DoJ, FBI. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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The FBI’s Data Handling Practices Ripped By The DoJ
The FBI has faced significant lapses in handling and disposing of electronic storage media seized during investigations, according to a scathing audit by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The audit reveals that storage devices containing sensitive information, including national security data, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) material, and documents classified as Secret, were often improperly labeled or not labeled at all, heightening the risk of loss or theft.
The OIG’s report was addressed to FBI Director Christopher Wray and underscores the gravity of these findings. Despite FBI protocols mandating strict procedures for labeling and securing such data, the agency failed to consistently adhere to these guidelines. The report highlights instances where media containing classified information was stored in unapproved containers or locations, significantly compromising security. Additionally, the FBI’s process for the destruction of these devices was found to be inadequate, with critical gaps that could potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized access.
Cigent CGO Brett Hansen had this comment:
“Meeting mission requirements and the ever-evolving threat landscape can make ensuring the integrity of data throughout its lifecycle a daunting task. Organizations like the FBI first need to universally adopt proven techniques and technology for safeguarding vulnerable data at the edge. These include Hardware Full Drive Encryption with Pre-boot Authentication and Multi Factor Authentication. Proper disposal of data is also imperative and again there are technologies that can verify all data is permanently erased.”
The FBI of all people need to do a much better job of safeguarding data. Hopefully this report not only “encourages” them to do better. But sends a message to everyone else to step up their game.
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This entry was posted on August 28, 2024 at 8:40 am and is filed under Commentary with tags DoJ, FBI. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.