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Computer Weekly - Social media is ruining spy industry

July 06, 2009

Rob Cotton, CEO of NCC Group, discussed with Computer Weekly how UK intelligence agencies are concerned that Facebook and other social networking tools are ruining the spy industry.

"Having a Facebook profile, you are opening up a Pandora's box of online traceability that you can't ever truly close, which extends to close associates too. There are security implications for anyone who puts personal details online, and we have long advised people to err on the side of caution should they chose to have a Facebook profile or similar.

The problem for national security staff is that once these details are out there, it is very difficult to erase them, and the wrong details in the wrong hands could actually lead to a life or death situation. For those in high-risk roles where information is like currency, something as innocuous as updating your profile could jeopardise a mission."

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