Foreign spy services, especially in China and Russia, are aggressively aggregating and cross-indexing hacked U.S. computer databases — including security clearance applications, airline records and medical insurance forms — to identify U.S. intelligence officers and agents, U.S. officials said.
At least one clandestine network of American engineers and scientists who provide technical assistance to U.S. undercover operatives and agents overseas has been compromised as a result, according to two U.S. officials.
What difference does it make? Jimmy Carter pushed for and nearly succeeded in eliminating human spies in favor of satellite imagery. The bad guys discovered underground facilities and multi-million dollar spy satellites became useless. Bubba and Hillary, based on a single human spy and a lot of amateur/friends’ analyses, attacked Iraq once and pushed for war with Iraq up until Saddam was captured and the political equations changed.
Most readers know I am no fan of the CIA, but it sure must suck to be a spy, be known by your host nation as a spy, and have a long road to the nearest airport. Almost as bad an experience as being a diplomat in Benghazi.
Like many of you, I’m very curious how classified information jumped from secure systems to perhaps the most insecure server in the world. Someone who knows what to look for. Someone who knows how to do it. Someone who knows how to either 1) alter the audit log; or 2) have the authority to have the audit log left untouched, but never found during a search. Someone who is a cut-out for a politico’s fixer. They know what this term means. The CIA is looking for this person.
I used to think Robert Ludlum’s stories were delightfully far-fetched, but with reality surpassing fiction, what difference does it make?