NASA continues to sell used computers with sensitive data

Usually in corporate espionage (or scientific espionage) films, the main characters are shown passing through fire, water, and copper pipes to get the desired bit of information. However, in real life, everything is easier - spies just keep track of sales of outdated computers that suit organizations like NASA. More than once or twice the usual, law-abiding citizens found confidential information on the hard drives of purchased PCs or laptops, which the mere mortal cannot access in the usual way. But all the same, reckless organizers of sales sell equipment with such data that it can recoup the money spent on equipment a thousandfold. Now on this occasion, even conducted an official investigation inside NASA.

Verification is vital because the 30-year period of the space program is now coming to an end, and the agency is going to arrange a massive sale of outdated equipment that is morally and physically. In principle, the initiative is quite rational, except for how much confidential information is transmitted, it is not clear to whom.
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The very first test showed that the outdated equipment can carry not outdated information, which in the right hands can turn into hundreds of millions. Security breaches have been identified in many NASA divisions, including those that constitute the main “body” of this agency. For example, on some hard drives of old PCs, there were pieces of information about the Shuttle program. Yes, the information is a little outdated, but not lost relevance.

It is worth noting that the same check revealed only in one case the sale of more than a dozen used computers and laptops, on whose hard drives contained extremely important, albeit fragmented information about the US space program. Needless to say, this information is kept as secret as possible.

In general, who wants to get sensitive information - enough to hack the server, just buy what sells on NASA sales. Interestingly, and the Pentagon or the CIA arrange such sales?

Via bbc