Hackers Gained Access to F-35 Files

[Motherland]

Some years ago, identity theives were able to hack the social security numbers of almost every General and Flag officer in the U.S. military.  And this was back in the late 90's when identity theft was a huge problem since so many of the processes and defense mechanisms we have today weren't in place.  You didn't read about that in the newspaper, and compared to this, which do you think was a bigger threat to national security?  Having the ability to wreck the CJCS's credit or some wiring schematic for the landing light on the F-35?  They're talking about cutting back the F-22 and ordering more F-35s...Think about that...

I don't think what they've got was a threat to National Security. The hacker was probably just some 20-something with nothing else to do... that's all a lot of the time. Even if it was something valuable I don't think he would have done anything with it. Kind of like when Palin's Yahoo account was hacked... there was no real motive behind it, some one just did it for the hell of it. But the fact that someone WAS able to do it is what's disturbing.

[Yeager]

I cannot imagine Lockheed Martin having classified top secret information out on a internet accessible server somewhere.  Unbelievable.....

Where I come from stuff like this is kept strictly off the line.  No external access is even possible.  Shame on whoever set that system up.

[Nisky]

I was watchin CNN like 2 months ago and on the ticker tape it said something to the effect that China had stepped up there efforts on hacking US intelligence. Which of course they denied. Imagine if China gotta hold of Classified info of US technology.

[DMBEAR]

Did they use X's or O's?

[CAVPFCDD]

why is this stuff on the internet!?!!??!?! 

[moot]

I cannot imagine Lockheed Martin having classified top secret information out on a internet accessible server somewhere.  Unbelievable.....

Where I come from stuff like this is kept strictly off the line.  No external access is even possible.  Shame on whoever set that system up.

Pretty crazy.  Crazier still, there was an almost exactly identical precedent to this a couple of years back in the USA.  Was it Honeywell that did it?  I can't recall.. 

[Stoney]

I cannot imagine Lockheed Martin having classified top secret information out on a internet accessible server somewhere.

Notice the article stated that "confidential" information was hacked.  Confidential being the next-to-lowest classification of information, right after "For Official Use Only" and before "Secret".  I'm telling you guys, the information is probably the rubber formulation for the tires or something.  Seriously--the press is only making a big deal about because (a) Gates is making an announcement about "Cyber Command" and (b) they're cutting back on F-22 and expanding F-35.

[RipChord929]

All I know is, this stuff is gettin REALLY CREEPY!
Anyone noticing a pattern here?

Years ago, we had ppl heavily connected to our govt
teaching the Red Chinese how to launch sattelites
without their rockets blowing up on the pad..
Before that, they could never be sure that their ICBMs
would even launch... NOW, they work every time..

We had Chinese National Immigrants working at
Los Alamos, dealing with design specs, and info
from all our past Nuke testing.. The most advanced
in the world... No one else could get info like that
because of the test ban treaties.. Guys swiped the
info, and then ran back to China... OMFG!

Now we have this F35 thing happening?

Not to mention, that China holds SO MUCH of our
national debt, that if we had an altercation with
them, (Taiwan) they could DESTROY the value
of the dollar COMPLETELY... As an economic weapon!

Sometimes, I make wisecracks about overeducated
imbeciles.. But it's really not too far from the truth..
My brother is perfect example, like Whiley Coyote..
He has a phd from Cornell.. Super smart techno whiz!
But if he changes the tire on his wifes car, he puts
the tapered lugnuts on backward.. LOL no kiddin!
No common sense for the simplest things...

Creepy is the only word I can think of for this situation..
Treason, is another.. But ppl seem a little squeemish
for that.. Even when it stares them in the face...

Welcome to nutless ameriKa!!!

[Denholm]

Time to call Mr. Phelps.

[Cthulhu]

If other governments are looking for the information, they're paying employees that work in the factories and design companies for it, not paying hackers for it.  Also, never underestimate the media's ability to sensationalize something that amounts to routine information.  Its kind of like when they call used dosimeters "nuclear waste".

Stoney's right. The real threat is from compromised human assets (or from simple human stupidity). I think you guys would be surprised at the steps that are taken to secure classified data (especially Secret & Top Secret) on defense contractor systems. I bet there's a good chance the F-35 "information" in question is probably, at best, company proprietary data which any foreign adversary with half a clue is already well aware of.

I cannot imagine Lockheed Martin having classified top secret information out on a internet accessible server somewhere.  Unbelievable.....

Where I come from stuff like this is kept strictly off the line.  No external access is even possible.  Shame on whoever set that system up.

Exactly. Closed area systems aren't simply password protected and fire-walled from the "open" world. There's no physical connection at all. They are completely separate networks. Throw in the Tempest requirements to block RF emissions, and Jesus himself couldn't hack into a closed area system.

[Angus]

Wanna be safe from the net? No cable.

[Vulcan]

Most govt/military security systems (firewalls, secure remote access, etc) are fairly lacking though, and due to certification requirements are usually based on fairly outdated security technology unable to cope with modern threats.

[WilldCrd]

Well, after working out at Lockheed Martin out in Ft. Worth for a lil less than 2 years installing updated fiber i spent alot of time in the area's where the info for the f-22 / F-35. All the sensitive stuff is maintained in the basement lvl offices and are on a SEPARATE network. There were no internet connections in these area's. I and the rest of my crew had to have top secret security clearence.

The reason I said the above is because  IMNSHO the news report is BS. If that info has been compromised then it is old fashioned espionage and not "hackers".
Everytime sensitive info gets out the powers that be tell the media it was hackers and not there lackluster security. Wether it was someone who got past the security clearence background checks or someone who has betrayed their country they just dont want to admit it. Least thats what it seems to me.

The stuff at Lockheed that was on the network was low security stuff and was kept in a DMZ area of their networks IE. behind a seperate router with firewall and access control lists.

[68Wooley]

Remember all the fuss about technology transfer to the UK because it was felt the Brits couldn't keep stuff secure....

I wonder if an apology will be forthcoming?

[thrila]

To be fair our MPs, MOD and civil servants are absolutely useless and routinely leave classified documents/laptops/usb flash drives on trains.

A couple of weeks ago Britain's 'top anti-terror officer' Bob Quick resigned because he inadvertently flashed a top secret counter-terrorist memo to photographers. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7991307.stm