Security Architecture, Endpoint/Device Security, IoT, Security Strategy, Plan, Budget, Vulnerability Management, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security

NSA may dabble in IoT surveillance

NSA Deputy Director Richard Ledgett said his agency is researching opportunities to collect foreign intelligence from biomedical devices and other internet of things (IoT) devices.

“We're looking at it sort of theoretically from a research point of view right now,” Ledgett said at the Defense One Tech Summit in Washington D.C. on June 10, according to the Intercept.

He said biomedical devices like connected pacemakers could be a new source of information as a niche tool for the NSA data hoards, though he said there are easier ways to keep track of overseas terrorists and foreign intelligence agents.

When asked if the entire scope of IoT devices would be a “security nightmare or a signals of intelligence  bonanza,” he replied, “both,” and added that variables and vulnerabilities are introduced into software the first time that its updated. He said this would be a good place to be from a "penetration point of view."   

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