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DOD Seeks Classification 'Clippy' To Help Classify Data, Control Access (arstechnica.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: The DOD has issued a request for information (RFI) from industry in a quest for technology that will prevent the mislabeling and accidental (or deliberate) access and sharing of sensitive documents and data. In an announcement posted in May by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), the Pentagon stated that the DOD CIO's office -- part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense -- is "investigating the use of commercial solutions for labeling and controlling access to sensitive information." Defense IT officials are seeking software that "must be able to make real-time decisions about the classification level of the information and an individual's ability to access, change, delete, receive, or forward the information based on the credentials of the sending and/or receiving individual, facility, and system."

In other words, the DOD is looking for a classification Clippy. In a response to questions regarding the RFI issued in late June, DOD officials said that the system should be able to ideally protect "any file type on a Microsoft operating system (OS) file system and active directory domain."

27 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. Please tell me this is not a gov op? by cre1mer · · Score: 2

    So Clippy gets a security clearance. What can go wrong?

    1. Re:Please tell me this is not a gov op? by cre1mer · · Score: 1

      Three reasons why Stan Lee had to be at Silicon Valley Comic Con 2018: 1) Steve Wozniak was schedueld to be M.I.A. from his own show while traveling back from Russia; 2) Jeff Goldblum cancelled his Sunday-only appearance to spend all three days at the Dallas Fan Expo 2018; and 3) Stan Lee's management team needed him to make them money by signing 400 comic books from comic book dealers for $50K.

    2. Re: Please tell me this is not a gov op? by Z00L00K · · Score: 1

      Write a suicide note.

      --
      If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
  2. Would you like help? by jfdavis668 · · Score: 1

    It looks like you're writing a letter. Would you like help determining the content's security classification?

    1. Re:Would you like help? by bobbied · · Score: 2

      Yes please....

      Also, would you please review what I've written and make sure it is consistently portion marked and has the appropriate matching headers and footers? And while you are at it, could you verify that the classification markings are with my authorized area as well as those of the people on the distribution list? Finally, as I'm cutting and pasting from source material, could you keep information around about the original classification of said material and make sure I've not caused the letter's content to change overall classification?

      That would be a great help..

      Thank you.

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    2. Re: Would you like help? by jfdavis668 · · Score: 1

      Right. Share everything with the Russians first.

  3. DOD using Clippy? by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 1

    It looks like you are trying to declare war on North Korea; would you like me format a letter for you to the President detailing your request for nuclear weapon strikes?

    --
    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
  4. Classic Clippy by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    "It looks like you're trying to leak classified information to WikiLeaks... would you like help with that?"

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  5. Can I write the Clippy scripts? by mykepredko · · Score: 1

    "You've marked this 'Sensitive - NoForn'. Did you know that if people from other countries see this, you could get executed?"

    "Helpful hint: If information would hurt the current administration, leak it to CNN so it can be called 'Fake News'. If it can help the current administration, leak it to Fox."

    1. Re: Can I write the Clippy scripts? by Z00L00K · · Score: 1

      If you want the info to look like it's a wild goose chase - leak it to 'news of the world'.

      --
      If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
  6. I am lowrest bid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    We here are lowrest bid for make classified automated A.I.

    We your install software to synergize classification of documents. Data is read into cloud, and our human mimicry of A.I. in no sweatshop reads the information and classificies the information. Data grab you!

    Lowrest bid: $5000 first

    1. Re:I am lowrest bid by Calydor · · Score: 1

      Where's +1, Scary when you need it ...

      --
      -=This sig has nothing to do with my comment. Move along now=-
    2. Re:I am lowrest bid by fedos · · Score: 1

      You do know that the government doesn't just award to whoever has the lowest bid, right?

  7. Clippy - eh? by DarkOx · · Score: 1

    must be able to make real-time decisions about the classification level of the information and an individual's ability to access, change, delete, receive, or forward the information based on the credentials of the sending and/or receiving individual, facility, and system."

    In other words, the DOD is looking for a classification Clippy.

    Only an idiot would reach that conclusion. I would assume they are looking for something along the lines of Symantec / Sophos / others - DLP solutions.

    --
    Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
    1. Re:Clippy - eh? by EvilSS · · Score: 1

      Yep, pure clickbait bullshit. Sad to see ARS going to shit but I guess that's what it takes these days.

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
  8. "Hey, skipper!" by roc97007 · · Score: 1

    "It looks like you're trying to steal classified information! Would you like some help?"

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  9. Re:Security is DIFFICULT - Hire (and pay) good peo by roc97007 · · Score: 1

    Janitors have keys to *everything*.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  10. As a former SME and ASO by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    Look, your problem isn't apps.

    Your problem is you're infested with Russian operatives and Nazis.

    It took me years to clean up Pacific Region from a nonclass state to a vetted classification state.

    We all know where the problem is.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  11. Can I Recommend? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Mr. President, you appear to be sharing classified intelligence with a Russian citizen and known spy. Perhaps you'd like to share this other secret too?

    Click Yes to Continue!

  12. better bid by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    50M kickback
    2K for the real work.

  13. it's all in who does it by liquid_schwartz · · Score: 2

    After all, if you're connected well enough 'no reasonable prosecutor' would bring a case against you regardless of how many documents you mishandle. If you're just a lowly sailor then they will throw the book at you even for minor infractions. Until justice is evenly applied then it's all a rather obvious scam.

  14. What a warm fuzzy feeling by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 1

    Most Americans are I am sure reassured in the knowledge that their military is dependent on Microsoft for its security. Let's invade some country - let's foist a few BSODs on them.

  15. Re:Access control by jeff4747 · · Score: 2

    No it's access control based on the contents of the document.

    It has nothing to do with Clippy, other than the author of the article wanted people to read it.

  16. Re:So they want a tool that is simple to use by Highdude702 · · Score: 1

    In their defense most people are too stupid to use computers..

  17. Re: Security is DIFFICULT - Hire (and pay) good pe by Z00L00K · · Score: 1

    You'd be surprised when you discover the amount of access to various places janitors and coffee machine maintenance personnel has. They may be escorted around, but they will see a lot too.

    If you have some serious secrets then the workers have to mop the floors themselves.

    --
    If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
  18. Re:Security is DIFFICULT - Hire (and pay) good peo by roc97007 · · Score: 1

    From what I've seen personally, it may start out with janitors being escorted, but over time that tends to fall by the wayside.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  19. Re: Security is DIFFICULT - Hire (and pay) good pe by fedos · · Score: 1

    An uncleared janitor might have access to a secure area, but any classified documents will be put away, and classified systems will be locked, before they enter, and will stay that way until they leave.