Secret Service didn't secure mobile devices, putting leaders at risk, says report
Key takeaways
- “As a result, adversaries could have intercepted and exploited Secret Service information, placing at risk our Nation’s leaders, other protectees, and employees — especially when unsecured devices were used overseas.”
- OIG said the report was sparked in part by its broader review of the Butler shooting, where agents had used personal phones to coordinate with local law enforcement.
- Many agents said they did the same when overseas, as work-issued phones struggled to communicate with local counterparts.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
The report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) found that agents routinely relied on their personal phones for official business due to clunky communication software on official phones.
“This heightened risk occurred because the Secret Service’s process for identifying and implementing mobile device capabilities did not always fully identify employees’ operational needs, leaving employees without essential capabilities such that they resorted to using personal devices,” the report wrote.
“As a result, adversaries could have intercepted and exploited Secret Service information, placing at risk our Nation’s leaders, other protectees, and employees — especially when unsecured devices were used overseas.”