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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nasa sells shuttle PCs without wiping secret data | Nasa sells shuttle PCs without wiping secret data |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| US space agency Nasa has been left red-faced after selling off computers without ensuring that highly sensitive data had been removed. | US space agency Nasa has been left red-faced after selling off computers without ensuring that highly sensitive data had been removed. |
| An internal investigation found 10 cases where PCs were sold despite failing data removal procedures. | An internal investigation found 10 cases where PCs were sold despite failing data removal procedures. |
| Another four PCs - which were about to be sold - were found to contain data restricted under arms control rules. | |
| The computers were being sold off as Nasa winds down its space shuttle operations. | The computers were being sold off as Nasa winds down its space shuttle operations. |
| The last shuttle flight is scheduled for June 2011. | The last shuttle flight is scheduled for June 2011. |
| But the space agency's internal auditors discovered that its policies for wiping data from PCs used in the Shuttle programme have not always been followed. | But the space agency's internal auditors discovered that its policies for wiping data from PCs used in the Shuttle programme have not always been followed. |
| They uncovered issues at four locations: the Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers, and the Ames and Langley Research Centers. | They uncovered issues at four locations: the Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers, and the Ames and Langley Research Centers. |
| Secret data | Secret data |
| In some cases, tests were not being run to confirm the computers had been wiped. | In some cases, tests were not being run to confirm the computers had been wiped. |
| Investigators also found that some PCs that had failed those verification tests were still being put up for sale. | Investigators also found that some PCs that had failed those verification tests were still being put up for sale. |
| Their report in to the incidents says its impossible to know what data was left on the sold-off equipment, but analysis of similar equipment "raises serious concerns" for Nasa. | Their report in to the incidents says its impossible to know what data was left on the sold-off equipment, but analysis of similar equipment "raises serious concerns" for Nasa. |
| Investigators found four PCs being prepared for sale at the Kennedy Space Center which contained data subject to export control by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. | Investigators found four PCs being prepared for sale at the Kennedy Space Center which contained data subject to export control by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. |
| They also found dozens of PCs at the Kennedy equipment disposal facility that all had external markings listing network details. | They also found dozens of PCs at the Kennedy equipment disposal facility that all had external markings listing network details. |
| Such details could potentially provide hackers with "unauthorised access to Nasa's internal computer network". | Such details could potentially provide hackers with "unauthorised access to Nasa's internal computer network". |
| Nasa will now review and update its equipment disposals procedures. | Nasa will now review and update its equipment disposals procedures. |