IDF to upgrade information security
Photo: Dalit Shacham
Amid Kam affair: IDF upgrades information security
Army introduces stricter monitoring of computerized systems
The IDF is adopting various steps in an effort to upgrade its information security in the wake of the so-called Kam espionage affair.
In the coming months, military computer systems will be equipped with a new system that would warn officials of any attempts to remove information in violation of orders. As it turned out, Kam was assisted by other soldiers in copying classified information to discs. The soldiers were unaware she was planning to misuse the material.
Journalist Anat Kam is accused of stealing more than 2,000 classified documents during her military service and leaking at least some of them to a Haaretz reporter. The army's efforts aim to ensure that such cases do not repeat in the future.
Spy Affair
Ynet reporters
Former online reporter Anat Kam suspected of stealing confidential documents from GOC Central Command's office during her military service, giving them to Haaretz reporter
The new system will also monitor printed documents in order to prevent the removal of classified information in violation of the law.
IDF officials say the Kam affair was very difficult to thwart in advance, as the journalist carried out the acts attributed to her as a soldier, after undergoing all screening processes and acquiring a security clearance, thereby betraying the army's trust.
In recent years, the IDF's information security system underwent significant upgrades. Among other moves, military computers have been blocked to outside aides, so that one can no longer connect external devices to them.
Notably, it appears that part of Kam's line of defense will focus on the lacking information security at the office she served in. On Thursday, her attorney said: "The documents were exposed and lacking even minimal security. If this material was so risky, why wasn't it secured?"
