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Security Researchers Face Revenge of Spy Agencies (theregister.co.uk)
mask.of.sanity writes: Researchers tasked with revealing malware attack campaigns are being harassed, locked out of tenders, and in some cases deported. The retaliation by the unnamed spy agencies is in direct response to the popular published advanced-persistent threat campaigns that have coloured information security reporting over recent years. More details from researcher Juan Andrés Guerrero-Saade are available in a paper (pdf).
Can't you see that our good friends the government agencies are protecting us from those evil researchers?
We wouldn't want freedom of speech and privacy now, would we?
Security researcher Juan Andrés Guerrero-Saade was found dead in his apartment. Investigators found Guerrero-Saade laying next to various narcotics including heroin and suspect a drug overdose as the cause of death. His neighbors say he was a quiet man that mostly kept to himself.
"In many places intelligence services tend to be more civilised than in others -- you would be lucky to deal with them in the US versus wherever else, Latin America, Asia, or Eastern Europe where they take very different tactics, "
The article is referencing other nations where freedom of speech is less guaranteed...for now.
Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
While I have no reason doubt that harassment and revenge is happening quite frequently, the article doesn't provide any information to substantiate their statements.
I find it interesting that not having security clearance is viewed as an impediment.
I'm well employed in computer security and not having any clearance, not having signed any government secrets agreement has been an essential part of being able to do my job.
While I work with people with clearances, I simply cannot trust them for specific things because it is not possible to know who they are really working for. Once you have signed up, you are clear for some government work, but tainted for work on the outside. Take your pick.
I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
Cthulhu for President. Why vote for the lesser evil?
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
What the heck is a "tender"?
Tender, noun. (commerce) a formal offer to supply specified goods or services at a stated cost or rate
They're getting locked out of bidding on contracts. At least, that's what the sentence means. Not sure if it was used correctly.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
This punishment without a trial nonsense needs to be hacked off at the knees and all who caused these punishments should be jailed.
What does it mean to be "locked out of tenders"? My Google-fu fails me here.
Companies regular respond to tender requests issued by government. In this context a tender is a contract open for bidding by organisations external to the government department or agency responsible for issuing the tender.
A tender is an offer to provide a requested service for a government. Governments put out a request for a service (say, "we need somebody to help us ensure our computer systems are secure") and companies and individuals can tender an offer saying, "these are my qualifications, this is my price range". Government will then select one of those tenders to get the job.
Presumably, people who speak out against governmental practices are having their offers tossed.
At least, that's how I read it.
What does it mean to be "locked out of tenders"? My Google-fu fails me here.
It means their grant application wasn't approved. That could be because their research is crap, or it could be, as the TFA claims, proof of a vast government conspiracy to silence them.