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Swiss Spy Agency: Counter-Terrorism Secrets Stolen

Posted by Soulskill on from the hard-drives-can-still-grow-legs dept.

Rambo Tribble writes "The Swiss spy agency, NDB, reports a disaffected employee walked out with drives containing terabytes of data shared by counter-terrorism agencies in Switzerland, the U.S. and Britain. It is not yet known if he was able to pass on any information before he was apprehended. 'A European security source said investigators now believe the suspect became disgruntled because he felt he was being ignored and his advice on operating the data systems was not being taken seriously.'"

7 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. Advice by ipquickly · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If his advice included encryption and proper employee screening, maybe he was right.

    1. Re:Advice by Arancaytar · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Showing that the whole "secret Swiss bank account" thing only applies when you're not trying to hide it from the Swiss government. :P

    2. Re:Advice by lloydchristmas759 · · Score: 5, Informative

      Actually, it has been a long time since banking secrecy in Switzerland does not hold when crime is involved. When any Swiss bank suspects funds originate from criminal activities (e.g. drug or weapon trafficking, etc), it has the legal obligation to report it to Swiss financial market authority. From there, an investigation will be open. More information here.

      However, tax evasion is not considered as a crime in Switzerland. This means that until recently, Swiss banks or the government would not disclose any information to foreign governments when only tax evasion was suspected. In the past few years though, international pressure on the Swiss government obliged it to ease the banking secrecy to the point where there is no secrecy anymore, except for permanent Swiss residents.

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  2. So? by Hatta · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Somehow, I'm not terribly worried. Terrorism is a lesser threat to any of us than slipping in the shower is.

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    1. Re:So? by Overzeetop · · Score: 4, Funny

      Or simply stop taking showers.

      Then the terrorists will have won.

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      Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
    2. Re:So? by Hatta · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Evidence you can't see might as well not exist. Especially if the person you have to trust is the one asking for extraordinary powers.

      It's quite telling that there hasn't been a successful terrorist attack in the US since 9/11. That means that the government is 100% effective at counter terrorism. When was the last time the government was 100% effective at anything? Does that not raise red flags?

      Also, look at the alleged terrorists they have apprehended. Every one of them was given significant help by the government. I don't believe a single one of them would have been a credible threat without being egged on by the government. Yes, they might have had the motive, but when the government provides the means and the opportunity they're at least as guilty as the alleged terrorist.

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  3. Re:Should he get a medal or go to jail? by timeOday · · Score: 4, Informative

    His actions prove nothing except that a trusted senior individual with administrative rights and physical access to the system could, in fact, divulge sensitive information. That's not scandalous. In fact it is for all practical purposes unavoidable. OK, fault them for not inspecting everybody's bags on the way out of work every single day (ignoring the cost and alienation factor)... even then he could STILL have done it with a microSD under his tongue. At some point it comes down to trusting individuals.