The officials reportedly brought unauthorized smartphones into secure locations.
QUICK FACTS:
- A whistleblower has stepped forward to reveal that top members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have smuggled cellphones into secure areas.
- The agents violated bureau rooms by bringing phones into areas called SCIFs (sensitive compartmented information facility), which are set up for the executive offices on the 7th floor of the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover Building.
- Security risks involved in bringing a cellular device into a SCIF include the possibility that hackers could gain access to a microphone or camera, among other risks.
- A SCIF was set up at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence during his presidency.
QUOTES FROM PARTIES INVOLVED:
- “During the exam, I observed dozens of strong Bluetooth signals. As I began looking for possible sources, I observed several phones on desks and in use inside the SCIF,” the former FBI employee said in the disclosure to lawmakers. “I had just begun looking for them when the Chief Security Officer responsible for the area shut me down. He specifically directed me not to pursue it or take any action.”
- “Cell phones are not permitted inside. Based on the readings I observed, I believe every employee there was violating the cell phone policy,” he went on to say.
- The FBI said in a statement to journalists: “The FBI takes all security matters seriously. Recently, we were made aware of these allegations of security violations in FBI space, and we have referred this information to the Inspection Division, Security Division, and the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General for review. The FBI has also taken considerable steps to ensure that employees are aware of their rights when making protected disclosures under the regulations.”
BACKGROUND:
- Rules established by the U.S. intelligence community that govern SCIF construction and management place limitations on the usage of portable electronic devices, as well as those with recording features and embedded technologies.
- According to technical specifications released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence last year, managers must approve such devices for entry into a SCIF, and the officials must conduct a risk assessment before granting the go-ahead. Similar examination and approval processes apply to medical devices.
