4 ms·

Don't get me wrong. I think Snowden is a patriot, but read between the lines here. Security breaks at the interface, and for the NSA, it broke at the interface

by u2328 13y ago

Don't get me wrong. I think Snowden is a patriot, but read between the lines here. Security breaks at the interface, and for the NSA, it broke at the interface between itself and it's contractors. Snowden was a Booz Allen Hamilton employee, so just like a diseased appendage threatening the rest of the body, I think the NSA is going to start cutting Booz off. Cronyism between the government and private business only extends so far. Booz has become a liability for the NSA, and they're not going to let that relationship, no matter how cozy, threaten the whole thing.

Sauer_Kraut 13y ago
What indicates they will be cut off?
- u2328 13y ago
  Cutting sysadmins by 90% is a big indicator. There's also been a lot of talk from former NSA about security risks involved with contractors with top secret security clearances. The writing is on the on wall.
  - Sauer_Kraut 13y ago
    For employee numbers, not contracts. If anything it stands there will be a higher concentration of work and monies given to the immune likes of Booz Allen Hamilton.
Amadou 13y ago
If that's what's going on, then it is pure CYA. There is no practical difference between a contractor and a direct employee. Yes it seems like security clearance vetting has been outsourced (for contractors only?) in recent years. But assuming everybody did their job right an employee is no more trustworthy than a contractor. I'm entirely willing to believe it is CYA - based on my experience working classified programs practically all security procedures are CYA: Provably follow the checklist and you won't get fired if something goes wrong. Don't worry that the checklist is full of holes like swiss cheese, the checklist is more important than actual security.
bas 13y ago
I don't see them cutting Booz off. I do see them enforcing stricter standards for employing contractors. Prospects lacking either an elite degree or distinguished military service are likely to encounter significant resistance to employment within the National Business Park and its environs.

by u2328 13y ago

Sauer_Kraut 13y ago

What indicates they will be cut off?

u2328 13y ago
Cutting sysadmins by 90% is a big indicator. There's also been a lot of talk from former NSA about security risks involved with contractors with top secret security clearances. The writing is on the on wall.
- Sauer_Kraut 13y ago
  For employee numbers, not contracts. If anything it stands there will be a higher concentration of work and monies given to the immune likes of Booz Allen Hamilton.

Amadou 13y ago

If that's what's going on, then it is pure CYA. There is no practical difference between a contractor and a direct employee. Yes it seems like security clearance vetting has been outsourced (for contractors only?) in recent years. But assuming everybody did their job right an employee is no more trustworthy than a contractor. I'm entirely willing to believe it is CYA - based on my experience working classified programs practically all security procedures are CYA: Provably follow the checklist and you won't get fired if something goes wrong. Don't worry that the checklist is full of holes like swiss cheese, the checklist is more important than actual security.

bas 13y ago

I don't see them cutting Booz off. I do see them enforcing stricter standards for employing contractors. Prospects lacking either an elite degree or distinguished military service are likely to encounter significant resistance to employment within the National Business Park and its environs.