Federal Security Officials Use Unapproved Communications … Do Your Employees?

It is probably not a surprise to many of you that government executives are as non-compliant with security requirements as industry is. Here is what we are learning.

Senior members of the US National Security Council (NSC) are accused of using their personal Gmail accounts to discuss “sensitive military positions and powerful weapons systems relating to an ongoing conflict”.

The Washington Post also says that National Security Advisor Michael Waltz routinely copied his personal schedule from Gmail to Signal to share with others. Neither is approved for handling sensitive unclassified (or classified) information. Having Waltz’ daily schedule would make it a lot easier to kidnap or assassinate him if that was someone’s desire.

In addition federal law requires preservation of records and it is unlikely that is happening on someone’s personal GMail or Signal account.

This is separate from Signalgate last week where he and the Secretary of Defense were carrying on classified conversations on Signal.

Remember, it was the Republicans who were a bit unhappy when Hillary was using an unapproved email system for her email. This is somehow different, I guess. Current AG Bondi was one of the people who, at the time of the Hillary email dustup, said we are a country of laws and that Clinton jeopardized our national security”. Now, it is no big deal and the DoJ isn’t even going to bother to investigate.

In another situation, it is being reported that the President’s national security team created at least 20 other chat groups in Signal. These Signal chat groups were used to discuss Ukraine, China, Gaza, Middle East policy, Africa, Europe and more.

Some of the whistleblowers said that they had personally seen sensitive information discussed.

Since we are a nation of laws, according the the AG – at least she thought so in 2018 – maybe the DoJ should investigate.

All of that is just a setup for this. Are your executives – and employees in general – using secure communications for sensitive data and sensitive conversation? My bet is, at least, not always. Remember that, in your case, you likely don’t have a friend like Bondi at the DoJ and if your exec’s conversation breaks the law, you probably won’t get as friendly a response as Waltz and Hegseth did.

Remember one of my favorite quotes: Security or convenience – pick just one.

I wish you could have both but that is highly unlikely. Need help? Contact us.