Missing RAF data spark blackmail fears
p2pnet news view | Security:- Hundreds of British Royal Air Force staff face blackmail following the theft of information on extra-marital affairs, the use of prostitutes, and drug-taking, says The Guardian, whose freedom of information enquiry led to the revelations.
The “extremely personal information had been given by servicemen for an in-depth vetting process to give them high security clearance,” Says The Telegraph, going on:
“An internal MoD memo admitted that some of the details on high-ranking officers would be ‘front page news’ that could tarnish the reputation of the RAF.
“The names of ‘third parties’ in affairs could become public along with admissions of drug-taking, prostitute use and private medical conditions.”
The discs went missing from RAF Innsworth in Gloucestershire.
The ministry of defence has spoken, “to those potentially affected,” says the BBC, adding:
” ‘All individuals identified as being at risk received personal one-on-one interviews to alert them to the loss of the data, to discuss potential threats and to provide them with advice on mitigating action,’ the statement says. ‘There is no evidence to suggest that the information held on the hard drive … has been targeted by criminal or hostile elements’.”
The Guardian – Stolen RAF vice files spark blackmail fear, May 24, 2009
The Telegraph – RAF officers face ‘blackmail over missing vice files’, May 25, 2009
BBC – Blackmail fear over lost RAF data, May 25, 2009
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May 26th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
âThere is no evidence to suggest that the information held on the hard drive ⦠has been targeted by criminal or hostile elementsâ.â
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There is most likely no evidence that it has not been targeted either. This is the problem with big brother and why I’ve always been against the rabid collection of data that the big brother mentality brings. Where ever it is held in storage is a target for those seeking personal data, for financial gain or for identity theft. Where sensitive information is stored, there will always be someone seeking it.
The fact that this data is out to be used by whomever is the hacker, also means that the security military and government mindsets require is also in jeopardy. Anyone on this list with a potential embarrassment in their past, is a possible leak for secrets.
Why the information was not encrypted and why it was accessible without proper security safeguards in place is the question. It has not been that long ago, that two different British agencies had public files stolen. Both times, it was deemed that encryption should follow as a safeguard, yet here you have a potential security leak by the originator of one that demands secrecy as part of business. It strikes me the left hand knows not what the right hand does.
How typical. This is not a comment on British only. Take your pick of country and it reads about the same.