THE hacking of sensitive telecomnunications data is a direct threat to a country’s national security.
There have been several international breaches over the years, many of them committed by firms and individuals connected to Russia, China Iran and North Korea.
The attacks provide information that are, in many cases, highly classified and could pertain to a country’s defence systems, its military installations, spying sites and personnel and other critical data.
Perpetrators could access diplomatic, trade and vital intelligence details.
They could undermine, distort and disable critical operations.
They could sell vital information or seek ransoms not to do so.
They could also put the lives of people, including leading public figures, at risk.
Family members could also face harm
Countries where such systems have been invaded have routinely taken swift and decisive action.
In most cases, there is a loss of confidence in the most senior official of the affected organisation.
Except in Trinidad and Tobago, where it is business as usual at Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) following the wholesale breach of security systems and access to hundreds of thousands of privileged files.
In T&T, where there is no accountability in the public sector, Lisa Agard continues to run TSTT after the scandalous and potentially disastrous episode.
Agard, who previously headed PNM propaganda station TTT, is unaffected in the post and appears to merely have to ride out the brief public uproar.
History shows she would not have saved her job in any country serious about governance.
.Those countries would not have compromised on a direct blow to their national security.
TSTT’s management under Agard appeared to have initially played down the affair, not even providing a full brief to Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales.
TSTT is majority owned by citizens of T&T, who were sffected by the technological attack.
If Agard keeps her job, who could have confidence in the security of TSTT’s data and the management of the telecom firm.
Along with her top brass, including her highly-paid public relations, Agard could exit TSTT.
