Swiss spy agency warns U.S., Britain about huge data leak

[Gerald]

(Reuters) - Secret information on counter-terrorism shared by foreign governments may have been compromised by a massive data theft by a senior IT technician for the NDB, Switzerland's intelligence service, European national security sources said.

Intelligence agencies in the United States and Britain are among those who were warned by Swiss authorities that their data could have been put in jeopardy, said one of the sources, who asked for anonymity when discussing sensitive information.

Swiss authorities arrested the technician suspected in the data theft last summer amid signs he was acting suspiciously. He later was released from prison while a criminal investigation by the office of Switzerland's Federal Attorney General continues, according to two sources familiar with the case.

The suspect's name was not made public. Swiss authorities believe he intended to sell the stolen data to foreign officials or commercial buyers.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8B30ID20121204

Interesting, but no direct news for those countries involved in this.


Note: Tue Dec 4, 2012

[STEED]

Just to add to the list of miss placed memory sticks, papers, suitcases, disks...Yon name it its been lost.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by STEED

Just to add to the list of miss placed memory sticks, papers, suitcases, disks...Yon name it its been lost.

Check your local high street trash can

[August]

Lost data is not a new phenomenon.

A copy of Robert E. Lee's battle plans wrapped around three cigars were left laying on the ground where it was found by Union Soldiers before the battle of Antietam.

Of course although the plans were quickly delivered to Union General George McClellan, the Doofus did nothing about it for 18 crucial hours thus squandering the opportunity to defeat the Confederates piecemeal.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by August

Of course although the plans were quickly delivered to Union General George McClellan, the Doofus did nothing about it for 18 crucial hours thus squandering the opportunity to defeat the Confederates piecemeal.

It could have been a deception, in which case his inaction would've been lauded.

But it wasn't.

[August]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

It could have been a deception, in which case his inaction would've been lauded.

But it wasn't.

IIRC McClellan actually believed them to be authentic, reportedly saying "I now have the means by which to whip Bobby Lee". However to take advantage of the information it required bold action and that was just not McClellans style.

[Oberon]

Reminds me of a certain Communist leader whose entire intelligence agency was telling him that a certain Fascist leaders armies were preparing to invade him but ignored them, and then locked himself in a room for three days when the certain Fascist leaders Panzers trampled all over the Ukraine and Eastern Poland.

[Gerald]

In today's society, which is vulnerable in many aspects, so you can never rule out sensitive material leaks out, and there are many examples of this, only a small percentage reaches the media for dissemination.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Reminds me of a certain Communist leader whose entire intelligence agency was telling him that a certain Fascist leaders armies were preparing to invade him but ignored them, and then locked himself in a room for three days when the certain Fascist leaders Panzers trampled all over the Ukraine and Eastern Poland.

That wouldn't be Castro per chance

[Catfish]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Reminds me of a certain Communist leader whose entire intelligence agency was telling him that a certain Fascist leaders armies were preparing to invade him but ignored them, and then locked himself in a room for three days when the certain Fascist leaders Panzers trampled all over the Ukraine and Eastern Poland.

Only that the attacker ran into masses of tanks, aimed for another invasion - but was lucky due to no defensive positions.

I still think Joseph was just angry that his adversary had been faster than him

[STEED]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Check your local high street trash can

Not forgetting bin bags outside banks of un-shredded info up for grabs.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by STEED

Not forgetting bin bags outside banks of un-shredded info up for grabs.

Oh yes I remember that one