TSA to Contractors - Encrypt Your Laptops

Posted by Zonk on Wednesday October 17, 2007 @05:32AM from the probably-a-good-idea dept.

eweekhickins writes "After two laptops were lost containing the personal data of 3,900+ truckers who handle HAZMATs, the Transportation Security Administration has ordered its contractors to encrypt any and all data. 'After the second theft or loss, the TSA conducted an IT forensic investigation that ascertained that the (previously) deleted information could be retrieved if a thief had the proper training. "So even though [there's only a] small chance of [the data being misused], we did notify all affected individuals and advised them of what steps to take to protect themselves, and we mandated that contractors need to encrypt any and all data in addition to any deletion procedures that might be in place," Davis said.'"

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Overheard conversation by postbigbang · 2007-10-17 05:38 · Score: 5, Funny

"No, not the keys to the truck and trailer, I need the damn keys to the laptop!"

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---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
Not Enough by s31523 · 2007-10-17 05:42 · Score: 5, Interesting

OK, so I have my Open Office document with goodies of HAZMAT data in it. I deploy my favorite encryption program and encrypt the document. Then I delete the original document. Same problem exists. Encryption is not enough.

Either the data needs to be "shredded" or stored in it's natural form on a fully encrypted volume.