ATF Personnel Put Sensitive Information at Risk Using Unapproved Messaging Apps: Report
There are new security concerns over federal employees using personal devices and unapproved messaging apps while on the job.
This time, the concerns come from a new Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (OIG) report examining the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) operations abroad, with a particular focus on Mexico.
The report found that ATF special agents as well as “foreign service national” (FSN) personnel ”regularly utilized unapproved communication channels on ATF-issued phones.” In addition, “FSNs used personal electronic devices and accounts to carry out ATF-related duties, creating significant security risk for ATF operations abroad.”
In some cases, agents and FSNs were using the unapproved messaging applications to make calls and send text messages, which included pictures of firearms taken from crime scenes.
And the report notes that one FSN used a prohibited messaging app to send eTrace results, database screenshots, explosives instructions, and an image of an ATF agent. The FSN was terminated from employment.
The OIG warned that the use of unapproved communications could expose personnel and operations to data breaches, surveillance, and intercepted communications. It also raised concerns about whether sensitive law enforcement communications were being properly preserved.
“As such, law enforcement sensitive information may be lost or not properly preserved by ATF Special Agents and other personnel, which could adversely affect operations and U.S. prosecutions,” stated the report.
ATF concurred with the report’s recommendations to ensure that personnel comply with policies for communications devices.
ATF said it “will review existing ATF and DOJ policy as they relate to cell phone use and preservation of communications/information to determine whether new policies and/or procedures specific to IAD personnel and/or FSNs are warranted.”
Latest Agency Flagged
ATF is the latest federal agency to face scrutiny over employees using unapproved communications tools.
The Secret Service, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis, and the Federal Reserve Board have had similar findings, particularly with employees working abroad.
