Schneier on Security

Stratego • May 13, 2013 12:22 PM

The real interesting part of this is not the content, but things like this are being “liberated” from them and contractors. It’s telling because the NSA, as a whole, is becoming too large and inept as a government organization. They are increasingly relying on contractors. Reports assert that 75% of their operational capability is now in the hands of contractors, many just a short distance from Ft. Meade.

The same goes for CIA. CIA Analysis and estimates are still largely done internally, with some help from other contractors, but the covert action side of the house is relying extensively on shady mercenary contractors, Craft, Triple Canopy, Xe.

A predictable result of this outsourcing one could opine are:

• Increasing screw ups by the contractors
• More outright theft and fraud by contractors
• Contractors working for multiple interests under the guise of “we’re the government” (this is a real biggie).
• Increasing breaches of information and opsec (good for us)
• Even less oversight and recourse between the American people and these groups (There has been absolutely no oversight for quite some time.)
• More cowboy negligent actions because the contractor doesn’t hold downside risk.
• In the longer view, it shows everything is falling apart.
• More aggressive tactics can and will be used.