US Military Bans USB Sticks As Result of Wikileaks

Bradley Manning was able to download over a quarter million documents from the US government via USB slurping…where by, he downloaded the sensitive data directly to his flash drive, then sent the docs to Wikileaks.

Not a cool move Private Manning.

So as a result, the US Military is banning all USB flash drives with systems connected to, or have access to, the SIPRNET network.  The Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, in simple terms, the internet used bye the DOD.  Of course it’s much more sophisticated then your office network with internet access.

The US Government has taken this breach of information so seriously that any military who do not comply with the data transfer ban “may be punished under Article 92 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.” The article covers failure to obey orders and dereliction of duty and makes clear that any persons in violation of such rules “shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

Like I said, not a cool move Manning.