USB Embarrasment
Monday, July 7th, 2008This is the strory of how a $10 USB device impacted the US Navy and embarrassed the Japanese Military.
Japan’s military has confessed to losing a USB device that contained troop deployment maps for a joint Japan-US military exercise.
The GSDF previously announced a one month suspension for the apprehended officer for stealing the cash and coupon, but never mentioned the USB drive to the public.
According to Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the force withheld the information because they didn’t want people on the internet searching for the data.
But the story is not over. Shortly after that , a lieutenant colonel borrowed the USB device and lent it to a sergeant first class. The sergeant left it on his desk, where it was accidentally tossed.
This is a classic example of how “fragile” USB devices are. Our recommendation is NOT to use them at your place of business UNLESS you are using some form of Endpoint Security solution such as PromiSec’s Spectator.
For less than the cost of most high capacity USB drives today, you can secure each endpoint in your company and prevent a repeat of this incident.
