Obama Administration Orders Review Of Procedures For Safeguarding Classified Information

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration ordered government agencies Monday to immediately review procedures for safeguarding classified information in the wake of the disclosure of thousands of secret State Department documents.

According to a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the Office of Management and Budget told agencies to establish security assessment teams to ensure that employees do not have broader access to classified information than what is needed to do their jobs.

OMB director Jacob Lew said the failure of agencies to safeguard classified information was unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"Any unauthorized disclosure of classified information is a violation of our law and compromises our national security," Lew said in the memo.

The administration's order came a day after the online whistle-blower group WikiLeaks released thousands of State Department documents that disclosed candid impressions from diplomats and other world leaders about America's allies and foes. The memos also unveil occasional U.S. pressure tactics aimed at hot spots in Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea.

The White House condemned WikiLeaks' decision to release the documents, saying Sunday that the website defied U.S. demands that it not publish the files, which the government considers to be stolen.

The agency review process will be led by OMB, along with the Information Security Oversight Office and the Office of Director of National Intelligence.

Comments

[nicothebaker]

10:17 AM on 11/30/2010

Bradley Manning PFC who stole the documents is being supported by Code Pink, among others.

[JLRoberson]

07:13 AM on 11/30/2010

"But everyone knows the same torture goes on." --Marat/Sade.

[kenhamlett]

05:12 AM on 11/30/2010

I am unimpressed by the seriousness of the Wikileaks information this time around. The disclosures really contain very little that was not already widely known and reported. It is clear that the Administration needs to upgrade its security operations, but I believe many of us Democrats pointed out that experience and effectiveness might be an issue under President Obama when he was first a candidate. There are by now many examples that those fears were grounded in reality. I am sure that any damage from these leaks can be easily repaired. But, two things need to happen. The President needs to identify who in his Administration is continuing to "leak." Then, the President needs to examine the policies he is supporting or proposing -- policies directly opposite to his campaign promises and statements -- that are causing people to become so disloyal.

[logicanada]

11:46 PM on 11/29/2010

The White House condemned WikiLeaks' decision to release the documents, saying Sunday that the website defied U.S. demands that it not publish the files, which the government considers to be stolen.

Just like all the e-mails stolen from private citizens in the interest of 'national security?

[colourful]

11:35 PM on 11/29/2010

Love the way the media has spun the leaks to create/highlight a narrative that Obama is out numbered on his stance with Is-real, and that in addition to Cantor, the majority of eastern nations support Is-Real’s position on I-Ran. Moreover, that Clinton is the stronger supporter of Is-real, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants – she’s tough.
However, I take issue with the lack of inquiry into her position to issue directives that ask diplomats to act as front-line spies. Not because others SOS didn’t do the same thing, but because she got caught, and it proves that they are not neutral parties that should be granted immunity. In addition to this blunder, she is unable to get the START treaty signed, which I think is her responsibility.
It seems our media is going light on the former first lady to ensure that she stays a viable presidential option, but it stinks… I want some tough love here.
Liberals are unafraid to administer tough-love to President O, so let’s see some equity.

[Joshy X]

11:24 PM on 11/29/2010

another case of Obama protecting the country and the allies

[Jim Frego]

08:21 PM on 11/29/2010

Why weren't these "Cables/Emails" encrypted?? Encryption has been around for over 50 years.
I can even encrypt my emails with a few clicks of the mouse. Does the Defense Department use the same communications systems?

[shishkabob]

10:03 PM on 11/29/2010

Apparently the DOD uses Mickey Mouse security :-P Jokes aside, most of the encryption is designed to protect communication, not storage. This was almost certainly a inside job by somebody that had access to a database of the documents. If anyone has access to 250K
documents, it is pretty hard to stop them from copying them onto a thumb drive and walking out.

[JLRoberson]

07:14 AM on 11/30/2010

>>Apparently the DOD uses Mickey Mouse security

That's unkind. I imagine Disney has better security than the DOD.

[RedandGreen]

07:53 PM on 11/29/2010

It has become apparent to me, for one, that Conservatives and Republicans are playing an effective game with Obama along with the serious lying and vituperation. Every occurrence that has any negative impact is attacked and blamed on Obama by those fault-finders, and true to form, Obama worriedly skitters here and there trying to rectify or explain the whys and wherefores. His administration has concerned itself with more obvious nonsense fed him by his enemies than having accomplished worthwhile deeds. He goes for the bait every time -- they must be laughing among themselves. One thing about the Conservative / Republicans -- they do what they damned well please in everyone's face, and then brush off criticisms or bask in the applause of the mostly dull-witted public that allows them to. Poor Obama, poor U.S. public, poor U.S., poor world! -- All too dumb to stop the never-ending charade by Conservatism.

[JLRoberson]

07:15 AM on 11/30/2010

If you assume Obama is in fact not part of said game.

Good cop, bad cop, I think we call it.

[edlindaspy]

07:10 PM on 11/29/2010

What these politicians are not telling people is Wiki leaks gave the pentagon the files before they leaked them,,,,They are withholding the names and invited the pentagon to protect the names.

A lot of bad things has been done in our name. I think this latest leak may turn out for the best.

Overover the next generations, it will hopefully make Presidents loathe to deploy a military ill-prepared, or find an excuse to go to war illegally with lies.

[damyanky]

07:19 PM on 11/29/2010

edlindaspy: Never assume that the military mucky-mucks support the president. They are noted for being politically conservative (or else they would never make General) and would be quite capable of "failing" to prevent the leak in the interests of the Repubs who want to defeat Obama. Not all of them, but some.

[edlindaspy]

07:42 PM on 11/29/2010

Do you think this was a ploy by the Neocons to defeat Obama? I am wondering when all the documents ,,,supposedly the thousands are coming out on Bush administration. That is the reason for all of this in the first place. Bush started this illegal war and now it's documented what it has caused and how many lives and corruption it has caused. I don't know how the guy can sleep at night. Let alone find ghostwriters to publish more lies.

Also, hopefully it will put Sarah Palin to rest blaming Obama,,She hasn't the intellect to know what is good OR bad for this country, Her sticking her nose in foreign policy is damaging. That is what the cabinet is for.

Thanks for the thought provoking blog.

[imusintheevening]

06:41 PM on 11/29/2010

Transparency we can believe in?

[m1jones]

11:22 PM on 11/29/2010

The Forbes website ways that Wikileaks is planning to publish an expose of Wall Street. This should be making a lot of companies very nervous. The bottom line - if you don't want the world to know about something, don't do it. If you decide to do it anyhow, don't talk about it.

[skateboy30]

06:38 PM on 11/29/2010

Shouldn't somebody be looking into people above scooter libby in terms of the Plame identity leak?

[damyanky]

07:26 PM on 11/29/2010

Skateboy30: Thank you for mentioning this. I don't know where the line is drawn on treason. I continue to be horrified about the outing of Valerie Plame, the risk to her life and the lives of her family. Did any of the traitors consider the unknown networks in the field that were instantly compromised? We will never know who may have vanished suddenly, particularly those who were doubles. I don't understand the real reason for the failure to bring indictments on those in high places.

[springsm]

09:52 PM on 11/29/2010

Did Bush's joke of a book say anything about this Plame outting.  I too, am still horrified over this and what must have been the repercussions.  You can't play small time vindictive thug because you are a small minded nidget. 

[Cintimcmomma]

06:25 PM on 11/29/2010

I want to think that someone is going to get it behind this, but my gut says, probably not.

[OverIt]

06:25 PM on 11/29/2010

As effective as Palin having the bird & the bees talk with Bristol NOW. The barn door is already wide open!

[USNDC]

06:23 PM on 11/29/2010

Hey Barack ... how's that being "President" working out ?

My God ... you're face down on the spinning merry-go-round with your eyes closed holding on for dear life !

[outwithshelby]

06:32 PM on 11/29/2010

You have a serious problem.I am darn glad President Obama is in the White House instead of angry old McCain And real bright Palin.It must really irk the right because the President handles himself and the job well.

[damyanky]

07:46 PM on 11/29/2010

outwithshelby:I think McCain is seeing Palin as the best bright star on the horizon--which shows how smart he is--and he will try to hang on to her skirts in hope of a position in her administration. (I can hardly type that without falling on the floor laughing.) What he also doesn't know is that she has no use for him.

[imusintheevening]

06:42 PM on 11/29/2010

President Obama is one heck of a lot better than that brush clearer we had in the office before.

[JoeBlough]

06:19 PM on 11/29/2010

This is not an intel leak. It's simply a job performance review. Taxpayers should be able to evaluate the people they hire to run the country.

[imusintheevening]

06:43 PM on 11/29/2010

Exactly, "of the people, by the people, for the people".