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Pentagon Plans Security Overhaul Following Leak of Classified Documents


The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced plans to enhance its monitoring of individuals handling classified information. The move comes in response to the findings of a 45-day security review prompted by the leak of numerous classified documents.


Details of the New Measures:


Among the planned changes is the establishment of a Joint Management Office for Insider Threat and Cyber Capabilities. This new office will supervise user activity and enhance threat monitoring. The Pentagon also plans to build a centralized tracking system for its classified facilities and strengthen security and accountability for top-secret information, as outlined in a memo from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dated June 30.

A senior defense official explained that the goal is to ensure that tools for user activity monitoring are appropriately used within the department and adequately resourced.


Background:


The review was initiated in April after classified documents, including assessments of the war in Ukraine, were posted on a Discord server. Airman 1st Class Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman, was charged with retaining and distributing classified documents, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The review process included a 50-question survey enabling DOD organizations to self-assess their current state in areas like personnel security, information safeguarding and accountability, physical security, and education and training posture. A team then analyzed these responses and identified areas for improvement and best practices across the DOD.

While the review concluded that the majority of individuals with access to classified information adhere to established policies and procedures, it also identified areas of weakness in the DOD's security posture and accountability measures.


Planned Improvements:


The review underscored the need for the Pentagon to reassess its use of technology in monitoring users. Examples include print tracking to maintain better accountability when individuals work in classified environments or access certain products on the system.

The memo issued by the DOD outlined a phased approach to enhance accountability, manage access, and improve the security of classified data by August 28, 2023. It also called for immediate enhancement of accountability and control of top-secret information, including appointing Top Secret Control Officers.

Moreover, Defense Secretary Austin directed DOD organizations to plan for appropriate electronic device detection systems and mitigation measures in all sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs) and special access program facilities (SAPFs) by the end of September 2024.

The DOD also aims to clarify classified information policies, as reviewers found that ambiguities were creating inconsistencies across the department. This includes requirements for a top secret control officer and protocols for reporting offenses.

The new measures reflect the Pentagon's commitment to prevent future leaks of classified information, enhancing its security infrastructure and ensuring a robust response to potential cyber threats.

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2 Comments


Unknown member
Jul 07, 2023

Hope to see you soon mate 👍

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Unknown member
Jul 07, 2023

One thing they need to over hall is what is classified. In Vietnam, some things that were classified were more to protect individual statements.

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