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The March 3,2 012 SMH article continues with, 'The theft was alerted to Congress on Wednesday along with 5408 computer security "incidents" that resulted in unauthorised access to NASA systems or installation of malicious software in the past two years, Martin said.'
Further, the March 5, 2012 Telegraph article 'Hackers had 'full control' of hijacked Nasa network' states, 'Hackers broke into Nasa computer systems 13 times last year and gained "full functional control" of systems in breaches that could have compromised US national security, the space agency has admitted.'
The Telegraph article went on to state that the hackers ''¦ access allowed them to modify, copy, or delete sensitive files, create user accounts for mission-critical JPL systems and upload hacking tools to steal user credentials and compromise other Nasa systems. They were also able to modify system logs to conceal their actions, Mr Martin said.'
This reminds me when I worked at a NASA facility in the 1980s and 1990s. Yes, quite a few years ago, but it seems NASA still has problems with security at its facilities.
On the other hand, it is admittedly difficult to totally eliminate hackers from getting into secret government computer systems and to prevent government laptops from being stolen. However, the more it happens, the more a country's security is compromised and the more it costs its citizens to correct such problems.
During my days as a NASA contractor employee we were issued security badges when first becoming employed. These were worn to access various government and contractor buildings that were labeled for employees with only secret security clearances.
More on page two.
