My faith in the TSA is shattered

[zahc]

I always had the greatest respect for the TSA and highest opinion of their effectiveness, and now this.

http://www.wanderingaramean.com/2009/12/tsa-makes-another-stupid-move.html

"Once you’ve downloaded the PDF you’ll see the black boxes.  Simply highlight the text (start above and drag down to below the redaction area) so that you’re selecting all of the stuff in the “redacted” area.  Copy the selection and paste it into the word processing client of your choice."

They published a document online that had statements redacted for security reasons. They redacted them by pasting black squares over the text. PDF files don't care about black squares and the text underneath is still there and easily recovered. I wonder why they didn't think to just black out the lines with magic marker while they were still on the computer screen.

[CNYCacher]

Now that is funny right there.

[RevDisk]

I always had the greatest respect for the TSA and highest opinion of their effectiveness, and now this.

 


I'm working on a guide to decode all TSA approved locks and recreate master keys for all of them.  Most are so trivially simplistic, it will make you want to weep.  You'd think the TSA would promote having secure locks on luggage to prevent bombs or drugs being added without the knowledge of the owner.   Na!  Let's make them easy enough for a six year old to defeat without problems.

[AZRedhawk44]

Epic fail.

I love the guidelines on how to determine if a CIA/ATF/etc credential is valid.

[Brad Johnson]

I smell a rat.  The "original" link is dead and the file referenced elsewhere has already been magically "fixed" for you to read. 

Something ain't kosher.  Why haven't they provided the original file so we can view it and see file properties for ourselves?

Brad

[Nitrogen]

I always had the greatest respect for the TSA and highest opinion of their effectiveness, and now this.

Please tell me you're kidding.  My sarcasm detector is faulty.

@Brad It could be.  This is something that happened MANY YEARS ago to someone, but I can't remember details.

[Harold Tuttle]

this is what happens when Martha, who had a 1 day seminar on pdf editing, is tasked with redacting data

[zahc]

I was kidding.

I see that the article is now posted on slashdot.org; surely if there is a mirror, someone posted it by now.

[RevDisk]

I smell a rat.  The "original" link is dead and the file referenced elsewhere has already been magically "fixed" for you to read.  

Something ain't kosher.  Why haven't they provided the original file so we can view it and see file properties for ourselves?

Except this has happened many times previously.

[Standing Wolf]

I wonder why they didn't think to just black out the lines with magic marker while they were still on the computer screen.

Maria Consuela took the marker pens home for her muchachos to play with.

[Nick1911]

And, it's hit the major news networks:
[Source]

In a massive security breach, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) inadvertently posted online its airport screening procedures manual, including some of the most closely guarded secrets regarding special rules for diplomats and CIA and law enforcement officers.

The most sensitive parts of the 93-page Standard Operation Procedures were apparently redacted in a way that computer savvy individuals easily overcame.

The document shows sample CIA, Congressional and law enforcement credentials which experts say would make it easy for terrorists to duplicate.

The improperly redacted areas indicate that only 20 percent of checked bags are to be hand searched for explosives and reveal in detail the limitations of x-ray screening machines.

"This is an appalling and astounding breach of security that terrorists could easily exploit," said Clark Kent Ervin, the former inspector general at the Department of Homeland Security. "The TSA should immediately convene an internal investigation and discipline those responsible."

"This shocking breach undercuts the public's confidence in the security procedures at our airports," said Senator Susan Collins, R-Me., ranking Republican member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "On the day before the Senate Homeland Security Committee's hearing on terrorist travel, it is alarming to learn that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inadvertently posted its own security manual on the Internet."

"This manual provides a road map to those who would do us harm," said Collins. "The detailed information could help terrorists evade airport security measures." Collins said she intended to ask the Department of Homeland Security how the breach happened, and "how it will remedy the damage that has already been done."

Security through obscurity, keeping your airport safe!  (Until someone publishes the security policy online, thereby "...help[ing] terrorists evade airport security measures", that is)

[Hawkmoon]

"This shocking breach undercuts the public's confidence in the security procedures at our airports," said Senator Susan Collins, R-Me., ranking Republican member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Reality check, Senator Collins. The public has NO confidence in the security procedures at our airports, and had no confidence prior to this latest boner. Everyone knows the TSA is all about "security theater" rather than real security.

[MechAg94]

this is what happens when Martha, who had a 1 day seminar on pdf editing, is tasked with redacting data

Govt approved certifications without actual knowledge.  :)

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

Umm... why are NSA agents authorized to carry weapons?

[RevDisk]

Umm... why are NSA agents authorized to carry weapons?

Primarily, carrier duties.  Certain material is preferably transported under armed guard.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

Primarily, carrier duties.  Certain material is preferably transported under armed guard.

Ah. I was thinking the NSA was messing around in CIA territory.

[Firethorn]

this is what happens when Martha, who had a 1 day seminar on pdf editing, is tasked with redacting data

Or sometimes when somebody wants certain data to get out to the public.

[Waitone]

The whole event smells.  Don't know why.  I just smell something.

[RevDisk]

The whole event smells.  Don't know why.  I just smell something.

::sniff::  Oh, that?  It's incompetence.  You get used to it when you deal with TSA on a regular basis.

[esheato]

I read about this early this morning...one Google search and I had a copy of it.

[ilbob]

Ironically I don't see anything in the redacted stuff that would really mean all that much to someone trying to sneak through. The simplest solution to beating TSA security is still through employees. You can bet your bottom dollar there are any number of terrorist sympathizers already working inside airports and inside TSA.

[paul]

Howdy all...
Lurker needed to ask...
Any arrests under the codes listed in the warnings located at the bottom of every page of the document being discussed?
You know, the document that I haven't seen..?
p