Russia and China are attempting to recruit disgruntled federal employees

telcodad

File this one under “Beware of Unintended Consequences”

Exclusive: US intel shows Russia and China are attempting to recruit disgruntled federal employees, sources say
CNN - February 28, 2025
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/politics/us-intel-russia-china-attempt-recruit-disgruntled-federal-employees/index.html

Foreign adversaries including Russia and China have recently directed their intelligence services to ramp up recruiting of US federal employees working in national security, targeting those who have been fired or feel they could be soon, according to four people familiar with recent US intelligence on the issue and a document reviewed by CNN.

Rook

Adversarial foreign intelligence agencies are very happy right now, unfortunately.

Rich221976

The sad part is that I am not surprised anymore with what is in the news lately.

However, with the way this is playing out I couldn't blame a disgruntled federal worker to provide sensitive information. Too much has happened not to expect that this would happen.

(Sometimes it hard to write this without political stuff in it.)

Rook

Rich221976 Another worrying aspect is that information doesn't necessarily have to be "sensitive" to be damaging, if the wrong people had access to it. There are lots of people getting fired who know the ins and outs of federal agencies that (directly or indirectly) keep us safe.

Luckily the nuclear stockpile ⚛️ people were offered their jobs back.

Somewhat-Reticent

It's unusually magnanimous to offer employment assistance to foreigners these days.

px_eliezer_

https://broadbandbulletin.com/d/1291-defense-secretary-orders-cybercommand-to-stand-down-on-russia

telcodad

px_eliezer_ https://broadbandbulletin.com/d/1291-defense-secretary-orders-cybercommand-to-stand-down-on-russia

Trump’s Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Cyber Command to ‘Stand Down’ on All Russia Operations
Russia is not a significant cyber threat to the U.S. anymore, Trump's new Defense Secretary says.

Wow, just wow, SMH

telcodad

px_eliezer_ https://broadbandbulletin.com/d/1291-defense-secretary-orders-cybercommand-to-stand-down-on-russia

FYI - A follow-up on this by The Register:

So … Russia no longer a cyber threat to America?
Mixed messages from Pentagon, CISA as Trump gets pally with Putin and Kremlin strikes US critical networks
Tue 4 Mar 2025
https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/04/russia_cyber_threat/

wdunwoody

telcodad SMH? ...me too.

Rook

telcodad

Russia is not a significant cyber threat to the U.S. anymore, Trump's new Defense Secretary says.

This doesn't seem to reflect reality, but it does seem like something a Fox News Channel commentator would say. 😉

iahawkeye83

If they take a job with a foreign adversary they can be charged with treason.

px_eliezer_

telcodad

We can only hope that the professionals at N5A keep on truckin.

However, that agency answers both to Hegsath and Gabberd so who knows.

Kathy_9

This discussion has veered off into politics and has run it's course.