Today's Article
The Bureau's
headquarters fails
even basic
government standards
for the use and
storage of classified
intelligence data.
headquarters fails
even basic
government standards
for the use and
storage of classified
intelligence data.
The American Spark
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
FBI HQ Not Cleared To Handle Classified Intelligence
By Cliff Montgomery - July 19th, 2008
As the government agency primarily responsible for the domestic surveillance of both suspected terrorist
activities and foreign intelligence, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has become a central part of
America's intelligence community.
The Bureau began gathering foreign intelligence for the Bush Administration as early as 2006, according to
recent FBI budget data. The documents further indicate that such intelligence collection has only increased
since that time.
It was the Bush Administration which gave these new, expanded powers to the FBI: The Bureau now also
works "to protect and defend the United States against terrorism and foreign intelligence threats," according
to its mission statement.
The apparent notion of this White House has been that a "Big Brother"-like government entity, with
ever-increasing powers to spy on any person or group this administration deems "suspect", shall keep
everyone safe in their beds.
But there's a problem. The J. Edgar Hoover Building--the Bureau's headquarters located in Washington,
DC--fails even basic government standards for the use and storage of classified intelligence data.
"The Hoover Building does not meet the Interagency Security Committee's criteria for a secure Federal facility
capable of handling intelligence and other sensitive information," states a new study by the Senate
Appropriations Committee. The panel's report was an examination of the 2009 Commerce, Justice and State
Appropriations bill.
"The Committee finds these conditions unacceptable and directs the Government Accountability Office [GAO]
to review the Hoover Building and associated off-site locations, and provide a analysis of the FBI's ability to
fulfill its mission and security requirements under the present circumstances," continued the study.
The FBI currently is building a Central Records Complex just outside Washington, DC. When finished, it finally
will provide the Bureau with a centralized, secure storage facility for classified information--one that actually
meets the basic security standards of the intelligence community.
But this fails to answer the most basic question: How can the Bush White House claim it has long 'protected'
us through its increased powers of surveillance, when it has failed to secure the very data it collects?
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - July 19th, 2008
As the government agency primarily responsible for the domestic surveillance of both suspected terrorist
activities and foreign intelligence, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has become a central part of
America's intelligence community.
The Bureau began gathering foreign intelligence for the Bush Administration as early as 2006, according to
recent FBI budget data. The documents further indicate that such intelligence collection has only increased
since that time.
It was the Bush Administration which gave these new, expanded powers to the FBI: The Bureau now also
works "to protect and defend the United States against terrorism and foreign intelligence threats," according
to its mission statement.
The apparent notion of this White House has been that a "Big Brother"-like government entity, with
ever-increasing powers to spy on any person or group this administration deems "suspect", shall keep
everyone safe in their beds.
But there's a problem. The J. Edgar Hoover Building--the Bureau's headquarters located in Washington,
DC--fails even basic government standards for the use and storage of classified intelligence data.
"The Hoover Building does not meet the Interagency Security Committee's criteria for a secure Federal facility
capable of handling intelligence and other sensitive information," states a new study by the Senate
Appropriations Committee. The panel's report was an examination of the 2009 Commerce, Justice and State
Appropriations bill.
"The Committee finds these conditions unacceptable and directs the Government Accountability Office [GAO]
to review the Hoover Building and associated off-site locations, and provide a analysis of the FBI's ability to
fulfill its mission and security requirements under the present circumstances," continued the study.
The FBI currently is building a Central Records Complex just outside Washington, DC. When finished, it finally
will provide the Bureau with a centralized, secure storage facility for classified information--one that actually
meets the basic security standards of the intelligence community.
But this fails to answer the most basic question: How can the Bush White House claim it has long 'protected'
us through its increased powers of surveillance, when it has failed to secure the very data it collects?
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!