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" “[Testers] know exactly what our protocols are. They can create and devise and conceal items that … not even the best terrorists would be able to do,” Pistole

" “[Testers] know exactly what our protocols are. They can create and devise and conceal items that … not even the best terrorists would be able to do,” Pistole told lawmakers at a House hearing. "

deleted 11y ago
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ikeboy 11y ago
In other words, security by obscurity.
- yAak 11y ago
  My first thought in reading that as well. We all know how great security by obscurity works for computers! That being said, I don't mean to trivialize the problem/task.
  - task_queue 11y ago
    It's not trivializing if the stakes are as high as they claim they are, as in people's lives.
NoMoreNicksLeft 11y ago
This is the most ignorant statement I've read in a month. $50,000 to some ex-TSA employee, and they'd know them too.
- profinger 11y ago
  Probably too many zeros there. A great deal of Americans would probably do it for $50.
  - joshuapants 11y ago
    I could do it for $16 dollars worth of beer including my own at a bar near an airport
- jacquesm 11y ago
  I think you're offering at least a factor of 10 too high, you don't need to buy a congressman.
- javajosh 11y ago
  I honestly don't think there's much specialist knowledge required. Just fly a few times, sans contraband, and keep your eyes open. The TSA has always been about security theater. Unlike some I feel like their heart is in the right place (the same for the NSA too). It's too bad there's this huge expensive machine now with lots of entrenched interests and risk-averse leadership. Of course, being the hackers that we are, we might wonder how that money would be better spent. I for one advocate for a 2 hour "passenger mixer" prior to the flight. It would be mandatory, but catered, open bar, where you get to know your other passengers, and vote on whether someone needs further attention from authorities. A free party and you take your fate into your hands? And even with premium booze it would be far cheaper than the TSA. Plus if you get blown up you have no-one to blame but yourself.
  - jacquesm 11y ago
    For the price of some booze I could probably get someone else to carry the bomb aboard in your scheme.
    - javajosh 11y ago
      You mean like tricking someone to carry an explosive? Yes, this is probably one of the real threats that the TSA's scanning procedures guards against.
cheald 11y ago
I'd be willing to lay money that if you gave me a "you won't be prosecuted" pass, I could do the same thing with about the same success rate with no training, a nice suit, and a smile.

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

ikeboy 11y ago

In other words, security by obscurity.

yAak 11y ago
My first thought in reading that as well. We all know how great security by obscurity works for computers! That being said, I don't mean to trivialize the problem/task.
- task_queue 11y ago
  It's not trivializing if the stakes are as high as they claim they are, as in people's lives.

NoMoreNicksLeft 11y ago

This is the most ignorant statement I've read in a month. $50,000 to some ex-TSA employee, and they'd know them too.

profinger 11y ago
Probably too many zeros there. A great deal of Americans would probably do it for $50.
- joshuapants 11y ago
  I could do it for $16 dollars worth of beer including my own at a bar near an airport
jacquesm 11y ago
I think you're offering at least a factor of 10 too high, you don't need to buy a congressman.
javajosh 11y ago
I honestly don't think there's much specialist knowledge required. Just fly a few times, sans contraband, and keep your eyes open. The TSA has always been about security theater. Unlike some I feel like their heart is in the right place (the same for the NSA too). It's too bad there's this huge expensive machine now with lots of entrenched interests and risk-averse leadership. Of course, being the hackers that we are, we might wonder how that money would be better spent. I for one advocate for a 2 hour "passenger mixer" prior to the flight. It would be mandatory, but catered, open bar, where you get to know your other passengers, and vote on whether someone needs further attention from authorities. A free party and you take your fate into your hands? And even with premium booze it would be far cheaper than the TSA. Plus if you get blown up you have no-one to blame but yourself.
- jacquesm 11y ago
  For the price of some booze I could probably get someone else to carry the bomb aboard in your scheme.
  - javajosh 11y ago
    You mean like tricking someone to carry an explosive? Yes, this is probably one of the real threats that the TSA's scanning procedures guards against.

cheald 11y ago

I'd be willing to lay money that if you gave me a "you won't be prosecuted" pass, I could do the same thing with about the same success rate with no training, a nice suit, and a smile.