Security at the Department of Defense is Weaker than You Would Think

Security at the Department of Defense is Weaker than You Would Think

Security clearance is given to thousands of people who owe the IRS money.

Security at the Department of Defense is Weaker than You Would Think

A GAO report released on Monday showed that the Department of Defense (DOD) has granted security clearances to over 80,000 employees who collectively owed the IRS over $730 million in back taxes.

In a vacuum this seems bad enough, but when coupled with previous security mishaps at a high level, a disturbing trend starts to appear. It started last June with the scandal involving Edward Snowden, who showed just how capable one employee with access was at revealing a system people think should be most secure of all.

Security clearance became a story once again in September, after Aaron Alexis shot and killed twelve people at the Washington Navy Yard. Alexis was a Navy contractor who had been granted a security clearance even though investigators knew that he falsely reported that he had no prior firearms offenses when he enlisted.

Disclosure of sensitive information has the potential to put national security at risk, which is why government agencies should be taking all possible steps to ensure that security clearances are given only to individuals who pose minimal risk for unauthorized disclosures. The GAO points out in its report that tax debt poses “a potential vulnerability.”

20 percent of employees that were given clearance with tax debt had accrued the debt before they were given access, showing that the DOD does consider this a problem or a potential one. The DOD has simply said that they take someone’s financial status into account with the rest of the specific profile, evaluating based on the whole-person concept.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

Featured

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.