Missing Computer Adds to Airport Screeners' Woes

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

Forwarded from: William Knowles <wk () c4i org>

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/queens/nyc-screen0721,0,3811514.story?coll=nyc-manheadlines-queens

By Glenn Thrush
Staff Writer
July 21, 2003

[Federal officials are quietly scouring the Washington, D.C., area for
a stolen laptop computer loaded with vital information on dozens of
airport baggage and passenger screeners that could be used to forge
IDs.

The computer, property of the federal Transportation Security
Administration, contains screeners' names and addresses, along with
social security numbers, birthdates and other personal data. It was
stolen from an agency staffer's car in late May, according to TSA
spokeswoman Chris Rhatigan.

"We are working furiously to get it back and we've sent out a message
to let all of our screeners know they need to safeguard their personal
information," Rhatigan said.

There's no indication the theft was terrorism-related, but Washington
police and transportation officials are worried that the highly
sensitive contents could get into the wrong hands, she said.

"We're not giving out too much information on this because we don't
want to provide a road map for the terrorists," Rhatigan said.

The laptop is password-protected and contains other security features
that should make it hard for all but a hardened hacker to access, she
said.

Word of the missing computer comes just two weeks after a pair of top
TSA officials resigned amid criticism that the agency has performed
background checks on 22,000 of 55,000 employees, while failing to vet
85 criminals who got jobs at U.S. airports.

In June, Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge announced a cost-cutting
plan to lay off 6,000 screeners by the fall. Kennedy and Newark
Liberty International airports, stand to lose 396 and 273 full-time
positions, respectively, or about 20 percent of their screeners.  
LaGuardia Airport will lose 36 or about 4 percent.

The TSA is fighting efforts by unions to organize the screeners. Union
activists and screeners gathered on the steps of City Hall yesterday
to accuse the agency of covering up security breaches and bullying
employees who complain to their supervisors.

"We don't have any whistleblower protection, so when we complain about
something that isn't right we can be fired or transferred," said
Miguel Shamah, a screener at LaGuardia. "That creates a danger because
the truth isn't getting out." Rhatigan called the comments
irresponsible and accused union organizers of "trying to scare the
flying public."



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