ED Shocking tech theft

Arms-developing agency should be transformed through self-reflection, reform

It is shocking that the alleged theft of confidential materials by researchers at a state-run arms development agency has turned out to be true. The interim results of an internal audit by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) revealed that unbelievable things have been happening at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). For instance, two former chief researchers at the ADD, who are now both abroad, stole massive amounts of classified information using portable media storage devices before their retirement.

The auditors checked the portable storage devices of 1,079 people who retired over the past four years and found a number of similar violations by other former researchers. At least 23 are now under investigation. One such retiree is now working at a university research institute in the United Arab Emirates. The former ADD employee is suspected of landing the new job by handing over the stolen data. These retirees also revealed grave moral laxity through their avoidance of inspectors' investigations. People involved in the scandal should actively cooperate.

The massive data theft was due to the ADD's extremely poor security and loose operation. The agency lacked the most basic measures, failing to set up security check points or station screeners at its entrance. Nor did it establish a data theft prevention system to stop workers from pilfering classified information using USB sticks or other similar devices.

DAPA is not even sure exactly what data and how much has been taken, raising concerns about the adequacy of its audits. The defense procurement organ should leave no stone unturned, swiftly work out countermeasures and work with the justice system so that those involved are punished severely.

The Defense Ministry should use this occasion to strengthen both personnel management and security checks. When researchers handling state secrets break rules, yielding to the temptation of foreign recruiters, their acts do not stop at individual deviations but hurt the national interest. The ADD, established 50 years ago, has contributed greatly to the nation's establishment of its own self-defense systems. It is disappointing to see the agency's reputation tainted by the unprecedented scale of the data theft. The ADD should waste no more time and transform itself through self-reflection and reform.