U.S. Ballistic Missile Systems Lack Cybersecurity

U.S. Ballistic Missile Systems Lack Cybersecurity

A Department of Defense report found no anti-virus, no data encryption and no multi factor authentication.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Dec 19, 2018

A report put together by the Department of Defense found that the U.S.' ballistic missile system lacked data encryption, antivirus programs and multifactor authentication methods. The report also found that some 28-year-old vulnerabilities remain unresolved.

The report was put together earlier this year after DOD officials inspected five random locations where the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) had placed ballistic missiles part of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), a DOD program developed to protect US territories by launching ballistic missiles to intercept enemy nuclear rockets. The recent security audit concluded that "the Army, Navy and MDA did not protect networks and systems that process, store, and transmit BMDS technical information."

Auditors found several problematic areas, including the fact that multi factor authentication was not consistently used. Under normal circumstances, any new MDA employee would receive a username and password that they could use to access BMDS' network. As new employees are eased into their new jobs, they'd also receive a common access card (CAC) that they'd have to enable for their accounts and use together with their password, as a second-factor authentication. Normal procedure says that all new MDA workers must use multi factor authentication within two weeks of being hired.

The DOD found that at three of the five locations, investigators found that many users did not enable multi factor authentication for their accounts, and were still using their username and password to access BMDS' network.

The DOD also found that vulnerabilities were not consistently patched, removable media data was not encrypted and no intrusion detection and prevention system was ever implemented. 

 On top pf the cybersecurity concerns, there were also vulnerabilities in the physical security of the locations. For example, MDA personal didn't challenge auditors who entered buildings without proper badges, allowing unauthorized personnel to wander around through top secret buildings.

The MDA currently has 104 ballistic missile locations and plans to build another 10, but if it doesn't improve both its physical and cybersecurity protections, these bases could easily be attacked in case of a conflict.

To see the full report, click here.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.