Satellite imagery raises security questions

[CommunityEditor]

Throughout the Cold War, satellite and spy plane imagery of military sites was the sort of valuable, close-hold information that could start or stop a war or spawn a new arms race. Only people with the highest of security clearances got to see those photos.

Today, much of that same information is just a computer keystroke away. And you don’t need to be a spy to see it.

Global information companies such as Google and Microsoft provide millions of regular folks a bird’s-eye view of everything from U.S. military installations to their very own backyards — sometimes with incredible detail.

This widespread availability of overhead imagery has raised serious questions about the security of military personnel, installations and hardware.

Last week, the issue gained a higher profile with the appearance on the Internet of a photograph of the propeller on a Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine while in dry dock at the intermediate maintenance facility in Bangor, Wash. A key to the strategic submarine’s ability to deploy and remain undetected, propeller designs have been kept under wraps for years — literally. When out of the water, the propellers typically are draped with tarps.

The image of the sub with its prop clearly visible appeared on Microsoft’s mapping tool, Virtual Earth. It was discovered accidentally by Dan Twohig, a deck officer on the Washington state ferry service who was using the program to examine real estate on the west side of Puget Sound.



Full article: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/0...urity_070819w/


Is this really "just the world we live in"? Security risk? Security breach? Does it make you uncomfortable knowing this much information is out there and not knowing who has accessed that information? How much information is too much information? If you were in charge, what would you do?

[Chateauroux]

Security risk? Nonsense! The U.S., Russians, Chinese, Japanese, etc. all have military satellites in space taking photos all the time. I'm sure the Russians have already seen the prop in the sub long before Virtual Earth printed it. Unless the crew is planning to defect, with their boat, to Vladivostok, I wouldn't worry about it. Hell! The Chinese are probably already making a toy model of the sub to sell to Wal Mart for the Christmas trade.

[Measure Man]

Originally Posted by Chateauroux

Security risk? Nonsense! The U.S., Russians, Chinese, Japanese, etc. all have military satellites in space taking photos all the time. I'm sure the Russians have already seen the prop in the sub long before Virtual Earth printed it. Unless the crew is planning to defect, with their boat, to Vladivostok, I wouldn't worry about it. Hell! The Chinese are probably already making a toy model of the sub to sell to Wal Mart for the Christmas trade.

Nonsense? Absolutely a security risk. The current enemy is not foreign governments with satellite imagery...it's a cell of six or so average guys delivering pizza on Ft Dix...you think maybe Google Earth photos of the base might help them out? How about somebody trying to fly a small plane into ACC headquarters?

It is both "just the world we live in" AND a serious security risk. Defending ourselves continues to be a dynamic challenge that we must continually strive against all threats in this new "information age."

I don't believe we'll be successful in limiting the information...yes, certain OPSEC principles are still valid, but many are outdated...I think we really need to relook at the nature of warfare in the new environment, from not only a tactical level, but from a doctrinal level. All the rules of warfare are changing with respect to the nature of the enemy (terrorists vs. militaries)...we need to look at what we believe are the doctrines and tenets or warfare and make sure they aren't dogmas keeping us from developing more effective ways to fight these guys...we're not that good at whooping them yet.

[Chateauroux]

Right, Measure Man! Condi's 'mushroom cloud'. The monster under the bed. I don't believe ANYTHING that comes out of the Monkey Administration.

[Measure Man]

Originally Posted by Chateauroux

Right, Measure Man! Condi's 'mushroom cloud'. The monster under the bed. I don't believe ANYTHING that comes out of the Monkey Administration.

You don't believe in terrorists?

[Chateauroux]

Originally Posted by Measure Man

You don't believe in terrorists?

I sure do! The BIGGEST one of all lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He makes Bin Laden look like a piker in the slaughter of innocents.

[Measure Man]

Originally Posted by Chateauroux

I sure do! The BIGGEST one of all lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He makes Bin Laden look like a piker in the slaughter of innocents.

whatever...

The point was that imagery like Google Earth is a threat to the US. I believe it is...by providing information such as base layout, etc. to people that would like to do us harm. Maybe not a huge threat...but a security risk to be sure.

That was the point of this thread...there are plenty of other threads for Bush bashing...

[Chateauroux]

Originally Posted by Measure Man

whatever...

The point was that imagery like Google Earth is a threat to the US. I believe it is...by providing information such as base layout, etc. to people that would like to do us harm. Maybe not a huge threat...but a security risk to be sure.

That was the point of this thread...there are plenty of other threads for Bush bashing...

I'll reiterate, Measure Man. 'The monster is under the bed' and only the Monkey can save us.

[ringjamesa]

Most of the satellite images readily availible are quite old. I agree they provide a pretty good idea of what an installation's layout is but hardly a clear picture. Even the maps are not all that current. Example; installation entrances. If for some ungodly reason, you travel to the navy base in gulfport, it shows several entrances when in fact, there is only one that you can gain access through. There are enough variations and changes that someone basing their operations off of them would find themselves somewhat lost. If there has been any construction in the last say 3 years, the base picures and maps are worse than nothing at all.

[Measure Man]

Originally Posted by Chateauroux

I'll reiterate, Measure Man. 'The monster is under the bed' and only the Monkey can save us.

Gee, thanks...cuz I didn't get it the first time