FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1997 VOL. 17, NO. 182
Today:
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WHITE HOUSE PAGERS AND CELLULAR PHONES NOT SECURE: Hackers take
transcript of messages during Clinton visit to Philadelphia. Calls
from Dole, Chelsea Clinton, news organizations logged. (P. 2)
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Exposing Security Flaw?
WHITE HOUSE PAGERS AND CELLULAR PHONES OPEN TO INTERCEPTION
At time when Administration is vigorously pushing private industry to adopt large-scale encryption program, it turns out that White House staffers use paging system and cellular phones that are neither secure nor encrypted. Point was driven home by transcript we've obtained of White House pager traffic April 27, day President Clinton traveled to Philadelphia to take part in summit program on volunteerism.
Material was provided to Communications Daily indirectly through hacker community. Transcript was compiled to call attention to potential security risk, not to cause damage, sources said. White House acknowledges that pagers and cell phones aren't protected. Spokesman Joseph Lockhart said that White House employees are told when they are hired not to use pagers or cellular phones for any security-sensitive messages. He said: "As long as people are using the system properly and not putting sensitive information on pagers, there's no cause for concern."
Lockhart said there was "no evidence" that sensitive material had been disclosed over White House systems, although he added: "Obviously, people need to be reminded from time to time." One White House official who declined to be identified said that it was "an expensive and complicated proposition" to put encryption system onto cellular phones and pagers, and it was preferable to rely on staffers to be discreet. Paging service is provided through White House Communications Agency (WHCA), run by military personnel.
To determine whether transcript we received was accurate, times of events mentioned were compared with events scheduled for that day, and we spot-checked names and phone numbers in some messages. One White House source also confirmed that messages looked genuine.
Included in transcript are messages WHCA routinely sends out to let those with pagers know when President Clinton (or "Eagle" as he's known to staff) changes location. Noted clearly were his departure from Andrews Air Force Base (around 9:25 a.m., 25 min. later than scheduled), arrival at Philadelphia Airport, departure from airport and arrival at Marcus Foster Stadium where summit was held. According to intercepted message, he arrived at 10:36 a.m., was due to take part in official proceedings with ex-Presidents Carter and Bush and Gen. Colin Powell at 10:45 a.m.
Transcript also includes many messages from special traveling White House switchboard set up for such occasions, including some indicating communications glitches. "Eagle -- Call Mr. Bob Dole" was sent by switchboard operator to Clinton while motorcade was en route to stadium, one said. In another instance, Chelsea Clinton phoned twice -- she was put on hold first time, called back. There also were messages asking for whereabouts of First Lady. At one point, there was message for Mrs. Clinton from "Mary Steamvirgin" -- presumably actress Mary Steenburgen, friend of Clintons and Little Rock native.
Much more mundane items also are being transmitted over White House paging systems. Secret Service needed truck moved before it was towed, several news organizations called to coordinate coverage, press room food service was told to be kept open, and staffers received and made personal paging messages indicating tasks to be done, including finding last-min. accommodations and rides, locating lost keys, and romantic message with one staffer telling another, at end of long day: "I guess I am going to sleep and dream about U."