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Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

nytimes.com

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Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#31

Post by [deleted] »

totalZero wrote: post #13
empath75 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When you say this administration, do you mean Putin or trump?

Trump. Whether you like the guy or you believe he is a scoundrel who should be impeached, it's a little strange to put anything on him for this, considering the dates involved and how far removed the situation is from him. > Mr. Obama did not act on the advice, in part because Admiral Rogers’ agency was at the center of the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Mr. Trump, who again on Saturda…

[deleted]

Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#32

Post by 0xbear »

chiefalchemist wrote: post #19
Fjolsvith wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably Trump. However, many of the issues the NSA faces occurred before Trump's administration.

That's true. The concern should be Trump's sense of priorities. He's so easily distracted. He's seemingly more focused on Twitter than the NSA. He, similar to Obama, is the wrong "leader" at the wrong time. We're off course and getting more and more so with each day.

I think it’s everybody else that’s “easily distracted”. He uses his Twitter as a laser pointer with a cat, and he has been doing so for years. You don’t win an election against the Clinton political dynasty if you’re “easily distracted”.

Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#33

Post by totalZero »

ryanlol wrote: post #27
totalZero wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yet he's mentioned four times in the article, which should tell you something.

The only thing this tells me is that you did not read the text surrounding those mentions. They all portray him in a rather neutral light, except perhaps the "again on Saturday disputed his intelligence agencies’ findings on Russia and the election". You can hardly criticize that though. You could even argue that the last mention paints him in a somewhat positive light, >The Trump administration says it will soon ann…

What I got from the article is that the NYT is leaning towards publishing articles regarding hacking or other meddling into US affairs, especially by Russia, in order to generate public perception of the Russia issue as a large and embarrassing failure.

>"again on Saturday disputed his intelligence agencies’ findings on Russia and the election". You can hardly criticize that though.

In Hanoi yesterday, Trump made the statement that, "I'm with our agencies, especially as currently constituted with their leadership," regarding Russian intervention in the election. USA Today reported that, "Trump says he believes intelligence assessment that Russia interfered in election — but Putin does not."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/11/trum...

Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#34

Post by SomeStupidPoint »

> Some veteran intelligence officials believe a lopsided focus on offensive cyberweapons and hacking tools has, for years, left American cyberdefense dangerously porous.

> “We have had a train wreck coming,” said Mike McConnell, the former N.S.A. director and national intelligence director. “We should have ratcheted up the defense parts significantly.”

Yes, I think many have said this for years. I'm glad someone high-up went on record.

I'm not against what the TAO does, but the NSA (and more broadly, the US government) has massively failed to develop defensive capabilities.

I hope the NSA will use this as a moment of introspection, and up their defensive work -- particularly opensource collaborations and research. (The IAD github page[0] is awesome in this regard; as are things like SELinux. On the research side, things like HoTT as a basis for verified software; which has some DoD funding, but would be so much more if NSA researchers collaborated.)

I get that attacking things is cool -- but we really need help defending the national infrastructure against constant assault. It's in rough shape. I hope the people at the NSA -- particularly those comissioned -- will reflect on why they're there, and take the stance that the safety of the nation is paramount. Then work towards that, as I know they're more than capable of.

[0] https://github.com/iadgov

Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#35

Post by chiefalchemist »

0xbear wrote: post #32
chiefalchemist wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's true. The concern should be Trump's sense of priorities. He's so easily distracted. He's seemingly more focused on Twitter than the NSA. He, similar to Obama, is the wrong "leader" at the wrong time. We're off course and getting more and more so with each day.

I think it’s everybody else that’s “easily distracted”. He uses his Twitter as a laser pointer with a cat, and he has been doing so for years. You don’t win an election against the Clinton political dynasty if you’re “easily distracted”.

Are you suggesting running a company is the same as leading a country?

As for the election, history says otherwise. DNC incompetence as well as Clinton arrogance all but handed Trump & Co the win. In addition, the fact that a "political unknown" was able to bubble to the top of the GOP ticket is more of an indictment of that party than any significant skill on Trump's part. Who did he beat? Cruz? Rubio? That's a notworthy accomplishment?

Pardon me for saying so (as it's not very HN) but...you're funny.

Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#36

Post by _8j50 »

In any military force,turning your weapon against your own people is worse than being a traitor,running from battle in cowardice or surrendering to the enemy.

Their continued attack(yes,using malware and implants against someone is an attack) against their own people is in my opinion completely shameful and unpatriotic.

As someone who has no intention of breaking any law or of harming the united states,it is simply not ok for me to have to include my government as part of any threat model or as a potential attacker.

Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#37

Post by cm2187 »

natch wrote: post #17

One thing that is not talked about enough with NSA is that if they are capable of leaking some of their most sensitive and powerful tools, then they are also capable of leaking the most sensitive and private information they collect on people. Perhaps this has not yet happened, or perhaps it has (someone will no doubt point out any known incidents here if there are any) but the idea is unnerving. Maybe my wording is…

Agree, though the only thing that gives me any comfort (and it is the same with google, gmail, facebook, etc) is that the amount of data they collect is nearly impossible to ex filtrate because of its sheer size.

Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#38

Post by 0xbear »

chiefalchemist wrote: post #35
0xbear wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it’s everybody else that’s “easily distracted”. He uses his Twitter as a laser pointer with a cat, and he has been doing so for years. You don’t win an election against the Clinton political dynasty if you’re “easily distracted”.

Are you suggesting running a company is the same as leading a country? As for the election, history says otherwise. DNC incompetence as well as Clinton arrogance all but handed Trump & Co the win. In addition, the fact that a "political unknown" was able to bubble to the top of the GOP ticket is more of an indictment of that party than any significant skill on Trump's part. Who did he beat? Cruz? Rubio? That's a notw…

Where did I suggest that?

And you try to beat Cruz or Rubio (let alone “arrogant” Clinton and the entirety of mainstream press), and then come here and tell us if it’s a noteworthy accomplishment.

Re: Security Breach and Spilled Secrets Have Shaken the N.S.A.

#40

Post by appleflaxen »

The biggest indictment of the NSA is the fact that there has been no visible internal dissent after Snowden regarding mass surveillance.

Their willingness to overlook the constitution because it's inconvenient is a far bigger problem than leaks, IMO.

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