CIA Chief - Trump Picks Pompeo

 

 

In his nomination of US Rep. Mike Pompeo to head the CIA, President-elect Donald Trump has picked someone who has supported NSA surveillance programs and has criticised Silicon Valley's stance on encryption.

Pompeo, a Republican from Kansas, is a former cavalry officer in the US Army and a graduate of West Point. He serves on the House Intelligence Committee and is perhaps best known for his role on the Benghazi committee that investigated Hillary Clinton.

But his committee assignment has also put him in the middle of several recent issues that have pitched the US intelligence community against major tech companies.

Back in February when the FBI was fighting Apple to gain access to data inside an iPhone used by a San Bernadino mass shooter, Pompeo criticized the company's position. Pompeo called Apple CEO Tim Cook's resistance to a subpoena "disappointing" and said he "should not stand in the way of the FBI’s investigation into a dead ISIS terrorist, who has the blood of 14 innocent Americans on his hands."

The FBI had asked Apple to create custom software that would allow it an unlimited number of attempts to crack a passcode on the phone. Apple refused, and the case ended unresolved after the FBI said it had ultimately gained access to the iPhone using other methods.

Pompeo has also supported the National Security Agency's decision to run some of its expansive surveillance programs that came to light after Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor, leaked secret documents to media organizations.

In the face of widespread resistance to NSA domestic data collection, Pompeo opposed limits and argued that the agency's surveillance programs are essential in fighting the threat or terrorism aimed at targets in the US.

He has also been a constant critic of Snowden. Commenting on his committee's report into Snowden, Pompeo called him "a liar and a criminal" and said, "the appropriate action would be to send Snowden to prison, not give him a pardon."

Back in 2014, he pushed the organizers of the SXSW conference to cancel an event where Snowden appeared via video conference.

In making his choice, Trump said Pompeo "will be a brilliant and unrelenting leader for our intelligence community to ensure the safety of Americans and our allies."

His nomination will need to clear the Senate, and there will be some resistance.

In response to the nomination, Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, said the CIA needs "principled leadership now more than ever." Wyden criticised Pompeo's support for torture of terrorism suspects.

"Unfortunately, Representative Pompeo’s comments in which he asserted that the CIA’s torture program was legal and that the American people did not deserve to know about it are deeply troubling," Wyden said.

Computerworld:             Is Apple Right To Resist The FBI?:

 

« US Election Recounts In ‘Hacked’ States?
Can Snowden Testify in Berlin? »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 7,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD offers expert-led cybersecurity training to help organisations safeguard their operations and data.

CIO Dive

CIO Dive

CIO Dive provides news and analysis for IT executives in areas including IT strategy, cloud computing, cyber security, big data, AI, software, infrastructure, dev ops and more.

BigWeb Technologies

BigWeb Technologies

BigWeb Technologies is dedicated to provide its clients with ICT related services including Infrastructure Solutions, Consultancy and Security.

FinCom.co

FinCom.co

FinCom.Co is the world’s first automatic AML/ KYC screening system, for comprehensive compliance.

Asvin

Asvin

Asvin provides secure update management and delivery for Internet of Things - IoT Edge devices.

AlertSec

AlertSec

AlertSec Ensure is a U.S. patented technology that allows you to educate, verify and enforce encryption compliance of third-party devices.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

Cyber Ireland

Cyber Ireland

Cyber Ireland brings together Industry, Academia and Government to represent the needs of the Cyber Security Ecosystem in Ireland.

Alcon Maddox

Alcon Maddox

Alcon Maddox is a niche recruitment and executive search firm specialised in sourcing exceptional Cyber Security sales and commercial leadership talent. Serving clients across the Middle East & Europe

Romanian Tech Startup Association (ROTSA)

Romanian Tech Startup Association (ROTSA)

Romanian Tech Startups Association is an umbrella organization that aims to promote, support and represent the interests of tech startups in Romania.

NXM Labs

NXM Labs

NXM is a leader in a leader in advanced cybersecurity software for connected devices.

WPScan

WPScan

With WPScan, you'll be the first to know about vulnerabilities affecting your WordPress installation, plugins, and themes.

All About Cookies

All About Cookies

All About Cookies is an informational website that provides tips, advice, and recommendations to help you with Online Privacy, Identity Theft Prevention, Antivirus Protection, and Digital Security.

Sequentur

Sequentur

Sequentur is an award-winning Managed IT Services company. We are SOC 2 certified and provide Managed IT Services and Cybersecurity services to businesses nationwide.

Synagex

Synagex

Synagex Modern IT is a simple IT and cybersecurity solution for businesses.

InfoSight

InfoSight

InfoSight offers proven Cyber Security, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management and Infrastructure Solutions to protect your business and your customers from cyber crime and fraud.

Axiotrop

Axiotrop

AXIOTROP is a Cybersecurity firm offering leading services in assessment, remediation, and validation to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of regulated information.