In the wake of high profile data breaches hitting the news on a daily basis, most people have become aware of the dangers hackers pose. However, many are not aware of the dangers that can be lurking in their own files. Leaks are common and can occur if the right controls are not in place. Without proper oversight it’s easy for sensitive information to make its way into the hands of employees or third-party contractors who think they can get away with sharing it.
The latest document leak, first reported on by CNN and Axios, appears to show the US assessing Israel’s ability to attack Iran. It also shows the extent of US eavesdropping on key allies, including South Korea, Israel and Ukraine, as well as the depth of penetration by Russian intelligence agencies and the mercenary group Wagner Group. It also reveals that Russia is taking advantage of Ukrainian weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Mykhailo Podolyak, Ukraine’s deputy chief of the office of the president, told his Telegram channel that the US documents circulating “will fuel Russian attacks, increase casualties for the civilian population, and exacerbate the yearlong stalemate.” The leaked materials, which were supposedly posted by Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, appear to be authentic.
He was arrested Thursday and charged with unauthorized retention and transmission of defense information, a violation of federal law, and a felony offense related to the dissemination of classified information, according to US officials. His arrest came after a fast-moving search by authorities to identify the source who posted the trove of information on a social media platform popular with video gamers.