Director, Counterintelligence 

 

 

 

 NASA CI/CT MONTHLY NEWS UPDATE – January 2016 

This monthly newsletter is published to increase NASA personnel 

awareness of significant current issues related to counterintelligence, 

counterterrorism, and counterintelligence cyber matters. To learn more 

about CI/CT awareness, or to schedule a CI/CT presentation, please 

contact the CI POC located on the last page. 

Significant Counterterrorism (CT) Issues: 

STUDY: UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT FOR ISIS IN THE U.S. 

Support for ISIS in America has reached an unprecedented level with 

several thousand U.S.-based sympathizers and more terrorism-related 

arrests in 2015 than any year since 9/11. 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/01/politics/isis-in-united-states-research/index.html

THE ISIS TRAIL OF DEATH 

Since October 10th 2015, ISIS and its sympathizers around the 

world have killed at least 525 people in six attacks in six countries 

outside its so-called caliphate. American CT officials say that of 

the six attacks, three were directed by ISIS from its territory in 

Syria/Iraq and another two were so-called "announcement" attacks 

— local ISIS elements revealing their existence in dramatic fashion. 

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/isis-trail-death-n475861

Significant Counterintelligence Issues: 

PUTIN SALUTES RUSSIA’S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES ON 'SPIES' DAY' 

Vladimir Putin has honored members and veterans of the Russian security 

services on their annual professional holiday – which marks the day that 

the dreaded Cheka secret police was formed in 1917. He said Russian 

security agencies had exposed 320 foreign spies in 2015 and prevented 

“more than 30 crimes of a terrorist nature”. 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/20/putin-salutes-russias-intelligence-agencies-on-national-spiesday

ECONOMIC ESPIONAGE: THE GLOBAL WORKFORCE & THE INSIDER THREAT 

Today’s CEOs, be they from large multinational enterprises or smaller shops, 

need to think about the effects economic espionage may have on their 

companies. Their own intellectual property, trade secrets and personnel are all 

of interest to others. In addition, data provided to and received from 

customers, clients and employees may prove to be the most sensitive. 

https://securityintelligence.com/economic-espionage-the-perfect-storm/

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Significant Cyber Issues: 

CYBER ESPIONAGE IS REACHING CRISIS LEVELS 

Cyber espionage has reached crisis levels. One study puts the cost 

of cybercrime at $24 billion to $120 billion in the U.S. and up to $1 

trillion globally. For modern corporations, the cross-border aspects 

of cyber espionage can cause significant challenges. 

http://fortune.com/2015/12/12/cybersecruity-amsc-cyber-espionage/

OUR BEST FRENEMY 

When it comes to global cyber threats, you could say there’s the 

whole rest of the world, and then there’s China. The victims of 

Chinese hacking cover every sector of the U.S. economy, from 

banks and tech firms to energy giants and government agencies. 

http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/12/china-us-cyber-attackhacks-000332

Analyst Notes – Items to Watch: 

 The multiple attacks outside of the Middle East (The Russian airliner crash and the 

gun/grenade attacks in Paris/San Bernardino) have shown that ISIS is morphing from a serious 

problem in the Middle East to being a worldwide terrorism threat. In addition, attacks in Mali, 

Yemen and Libya are showing the resilience of Al Qaeda and its affiliates. With the success of 

the ISIS attack in California and the multiple threats issued by ISIS, it is obvious that the threat 

to the United States is rising. The number of ISIS plots in the United States is at an all-time high 

and both the FBI and DHS expect more “lone wolf” type attacks to be forthcoming. Russia and 

China continue their conventional espionage efforts and cyber-attacks against the United States 

and other Western nations. This effort at “Nation State Theft” is in spite of public agreements 

and signed treaties. Economic espionage and insider threats within the United States continue to 

cost this nation billions in profits as well as significant sensitive technology losses. The NASA 

CI/CT division continues to monitor these threats and any others that have the potential to harm 

NASA or its equities. 

NASA CI Offices: 

Ames Research Center: 

Armstrong Flight Research Center: 

Glenn Research Center: 

Goddard Space Flight Center: 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory:

Johnson Space Center:

Kennedy Space Center:

Langley Research Center:

Marshall Space Flight Center: 

NASA Headquarters: 

Stennis Space Center:

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