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Cisco spy issue could affect the war on global terrorism

In my personal opinion, global solidarity in the fight against terrorism is being tragically undermined with the use of Cisco networking equipment by the NSA for economic greed.

Hummelstown, PA:   Wed, 12/25/13 - 11:59pm    View comments
 

Update 12/30/2013:

Top Secret National Security Agency (NSA) JETPLOW firmware persistence implant (backdoor) for Cisco firewalls

Update 12/29/2013:

SPIEGEL ONLINE - Catalog Reveals NSA Has Back Doors for Numerous Devices

"A document viewed by SPIEGEL resembling a product catalog reveals that an NSA division called ANT has burrowed its way into nearly all the security architecture made by the major players in the industry -- including American global market leader Cisco and its Chinese competitor Huawei, but also producers of mass-market goods, such as US computer-maker Dell."

SPIEGEL ONLINE - The NSA Uses Powerful Toolbox in Effort to Spy on Global Networks

"The documents reveal just how diversified the tools at TAO's disposal have become -- and also how it exploits the technical weaknesses of the IT industry, from Microsoft to Cisco and Huawei, to carry out its discreet and efficient attacks."
 

6-months ago a Wall Street Journal headline stated:

Snowden says NSA used Cisco to spy

Cisco's director of corporate communications, John Earnhardt, made the following 3 comments to the story:

1. "Prism is not a Cisco program and Cisco networks did not participate in the program. Further, Cisco does not monitor communications of private citizens or government organizations in China or anywhere in the world. We sell the same equipment globally, including both China and the United States, with no customization for purposes of such programs."
2. "You are right that Cisco equipment is used broadly around the world. I stated that no Cisco networks participated in the program, i.e. WebEx, Jabber. I didn't state that no Cisco networking equipment was used in the program, because, to your point, we simply cannot know that as we did not participate in the program."
3. "We, of course, comply with the laws and regulations of the countries in which we operate, and will only provide information to governments in valid circumstances required by law. Cisco does not customize equipment for specific customers to facilitate the surveillance of users."

So exactly how does Cisco comply with the surveillance laws and regulations of the countries in which it operates?

Lawful Intercept Architecture

"Lawful Intercept (LI) is the process by which law enforcement agencies (LEAs) conduct electronic surveillance as authorized by judicial or administrative order. Increasingly, legislation is being adopted and regulations are being enforced that require service providers (SPs) and Internet service providers (ISPs) to implement their networks to explicitly support authorized electronic surveillance. The types of SPs or ISPs that are subject to LI mandates vary greatly from country to country. LI compliance in the United States is specified by the CALEA.

"Cisco supports two architectures for LI:

1. PacketCable Lawful Intercept Architecture
2. Cisco Service Independent Intercept Architecture

"The LI components by themselves do not ensure customer compliance with applicable regulations but rather provide tools that can be used by SPs and ISPs to construct an LI-compliant network."

And exactly how could the Cisco spy issue affect the war on global terrorism?

"U.S. government used Cisco Systems Inc. routers to spy on Chinese networks."

Furthermore, according to Britain's The Guardian:

NSA accused of spying on Brazilian oil company Petrobras

"Accusations that NSA is conducting intelligence-gathering operations that go beyond its core mission of national security."

In my personal opinion, global solidarity in the fight against terrorism is being tragically undermined with the use of Cisco networking equipment by the NSA for economic greed.

Related resources:

National Security Agency

Terrorist Surveillance Program

NSA PRISM surveillance program

Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

Related stories:

Top secret document contradicts Cisco's denial of NSA spy cooperation

Rumor Cisco product development engineers penalized for reporting security issues

Top Secret National Security Agency (NSA) JETPLOW firmware persistence implant (backdoor) for Cisco firewalls

SPIEGEL ONLINE - Catalog Reveals NSA Has Back Doors for Numerous Devices

SPIEGEL ONLINE - The NSA Uses Powerful Toolbox in Effort to Spy on Global Networks

Wall Street Journal: Snowden says NSA used Cisco to spy

The Guardian: NSA accused of spying on Brazilian oil company Petrobras
 

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