When Edward Snowden leaked word of the NSA’s ability to monitor transoceanic fiber optic cables, credit for such powers went to the agency’s internal operations -- with no mention of the company whose technology likely underlies the system: Glimmerglass. Based in Hayward, CA, Glimmerglass Cyber Solutions may well be the grand-daddy of all fiber optic interception and … [Read more...]
South Africa’s VASTech: Surveillance Leader for the Developing World
The story of South Africa's VASTech reads like a Wilbur Smith adventure: the hero, a young maverick who grows up in the shadow of a political sibling, strikes out on his own with a brilliant tech startup, makes a killing in the developing world, then at the height of his success dies in a mysterious plane crash in Libya. One year later during the violent upheaval of Arab Spring … [Read more...]
Attack on Charlie Hebdo Reveals True “Enemies of the Internet”: Radical Islam
Today's terrorist attack on French satire magazine Charlie Hebdo illustrates once again that the true "enemies of the Internet'" -- and of freedom of speech and the press -- are the advocates of radical Islam, not the electronic surveillance companies charged with protecting public safety. Reports indicate at least 12 magazine staff and police murdered by two gunmen shouting, … [Read more...]
NSA Decryption: New Snowden Leak is Ancient History
A breaking Der Spiegel story on NSA decryption challenges aroused little interest in the U.S. this week, raising doubts whether source Edward Snowden remains relevant and if stolen files dating back many months still hold news value. While it's SOP in the media business that anything never before reported is still news, the same principle doesn't apply in the electronic … [Read more...]
Rasmussen Takes Over at National Counterterrorism Center
When the U.S. Senate approved the nomination of Nicholas J. Rasmussen as Director of the U.S. National Counterrorism Center (NCTC) on Dec. 18, the timing and nature of this momentous event fit the character of a man who has held vital positions at the highest reaches of The Intelligence Community -- but always quietly and in the background. Rasmussen's appointment was one of … [Read more...]