Hegseth Had Unsecured Internet Line Set Up In His Office To Connect To Signal, AP Reports
Washington D.C. - A recent revelation has shed new light on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the popular messaging app Signal in his office at the Pentagon. According to two people familiar with the matter, Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to the Signal app on a personal computer.
The existence of this unsecured internet connection raises serious concerns about the potential risk of sensitive defense information falling into the wrong hands. A "dirty" internet line, as it is known in the IT industry, bypasses the Pentagon's security protocols and connects directly to the public internet, where user information and accessed websites do not have the same level of security filters or protocols that the Pentagon's secured connections maintain.
The use of a "dirty" internet line allows users to mask their identity by using an IP address assigned to the Defense Department. However, this also exposes users to the risk of hacking and surveillance. Furthermore, a "dirty" line may lack the recordkeeping compliance required by federal law, which can make it difficult to track and monitor user activity.
The Pentagon has a variety of secure ways for its leaders to communicate, including the Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET), the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET), and the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS). However, it appears that Hegseth chose to use a "dirty" line in his office to connect to Signal, despite knowing that this could put sensitive information at risk.
One of the chats that Hegseth participated in on Signal included President Donald Trump's top national security officials, while another chat had his wife and brother. This has raised concerns about the potential handling of sensitive information and the risks associated with using an unsecured internet line.
The Risks Associated with Using a "Dirty" Internet Line
A "dirty" internet line can expose users to the risk of hacking and surveillance, as well as lack the recordkeeping compliance required by federal law. This makes it difficult to track and monitor user activity, which can be a major concern for organizations handling sensitive information.
According to Theresa Payton, White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush and now CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity firm, officials must ensure their hardware and connections are secure when using a "dirty" internet line. The communications of senior government officials are also of keen interest to adversaries like Russia-aligned hackers targeting Signal users.
The Defense Department's acting inspector general is currently investigating Hegseth's use of Signal in response to the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee's request.
The Investigation and Its Implications
Hegseth has vehemently denied posting "war plans" or classified information on Signal. However, multiple current and former military and defense officials have said that the information he did post - exact launch times and bomb drop times - would have been classified and could have put service members at risk.
The investigation into Hegseth's use of Signal is ongoing, and its implications are yet to be fully understood. The use of a "dirty" internet line in the Pentagon's communications system raises serious concerns about the potential handling of sensitive information and the risks associated with using an unsecured connection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hegseth's use of a "dirty" internet line to connect to Signal in his office at the Pentagon has raised serious concerns about the potential risk of sensitive defense information falling into the wrong hands. The investigation into this matter is ongoing, and its implications are yet to be fully understood.