TOPICS
TOPICS
National security cutter approved for classified operations
The Coast Guard on Thursday granted the lead ship in a new class of national security cutters authority to operate, a formal designation that allows the ship to join the fleet and participate fully in service missions.
The formal accreditation of the CGC Bertholf, a key component of the Coast Guard's Deepwater modernization program, had been seen as a major hurdle after critics, including the Homeland Security Department's inspector general, raised concerns about design flaws and other problems with the project more than two years ago.
Among the most contentious issues was whether the cutter would meet rigorous security requirements for safeguarding information, including technical standards known as TEMPEST, established by the National Security Agency.
For several months the Coast Guard had been preparing for the TEMPEST testing to resolve all known discrepancies before the final evaluation, conducted in April by the Navy's Space and Naval War Systems Command.
The Navy command, acting as an independent validation and verification agent, completed the final software and network scan of the cutter's classified system in mid-May, according to a Coast Guard statement.
"Being certified with the authority to operate was the last major step before deeming the cutter fully ready for Coast Guard operation," said Rear Adm. Gary Blore, assistant commandant for acquisition, in a statement. "With this authority to operate on classified networks, Bertholf is now approved to communicate using classified systems with other Coast Guard, Department of Defense and partner agency assets."
In September, the Bertholf will undergo a period known as "post-shakedown availability," during which the Coast Guard will add a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF, an enclosed area for handling especially sensitive classified information. After that, the Bertholf will go through another round of TEMPEST testing and information assurance verification.
COMMENTS
- I don't know what a SCIF does for the Coast Guard, if anything. To do anything, every cutter would have to have one. I would like to see the Coast Guard receive about 12 high endurance cutters that can carry ABMs and defend the US as they patrol well offshore around the clock. That could give us some security and save a lot of money from the cost of having the navy do it. The Coast Guard and CIA need to cooperate fully to block terrorists from using ships to attack us. The CIA should closely monitor ports like Karachi and tell the USCG when it spots suspicious maritime activity. The Immigration Service should have a very strong intelligence presence abroad to block human trafficking and illegal aliens in conjunction with the USCG. Don Jones Posted June 4, 2009 2:05 PM
- RE: Mr. DeKort, GovExOnline, Ms. Peters, and the CG cutter acquisition mess. I'm sure we can all agree that the federal government is a very complex entity and difficult to cover from a journalistic perspective under any circumstances. I’m no expert on CG ship acquisition, but, I'll take Mr.DeKort's comments at face value, based on my newspaper reading elsewhere. As to a larger and more subjective point -- regarding GovExOnline coverage in general. I read GEOL every day, but only to track issues; I keep to very modest expectations on GEOL’s taste for digging, skepticism, or multiple sourcing of their news coverage. GEOL content is a mixture of agency and Administration press releases and official interviews, up beat industry coverage including new products, contractor services and proud sponsorship of high profile industry & government conferences -- with the high minded purpose of improving federal management - a laudable goal – but an effort that runs counter to any dedicated efforts to professionally vet the ambitious claims of their primary newsmakers -- e.g. fed officials, unions, Congress, academics, think tanks, contractors and vendors of all stripes. As to the article at hand, it strikes me as typical GEOL coverage, and unfortunately, Mr. DeKort, your comment is equally typical of readers who rise to the bait -- e.g. the article simply regurgitates a CG press release and thereby chums the water with juicy bait for a knowledgeable reader response, a tart comment and the stronger the better to enliven the website at low cost and minimal editorial effort. Sure there are exceptions, but, Mr. DeKort sir, as I see it GEOL is the wrong vehicle for the deep background reporting which you have generously volunteered to support. Maybe on the CG issue, Ms. Peters and her editors will surge the news staff for some hard digging -- but day to day, they don’t have the horses, the time, the money, the readers or the inclination - their focus is literal reporting of dates, events, issues, and official quotes; not analytical explorations or muckraking. At best, you'll need to read, and/or offer your expertise to GovExec’s big brother publication, National Journal and related clones. Outside this Atlantic media family – your best bet is the usual A-team for deep reporting – Wash Post, NY Times, Wall St. J., etc. Plus ca change. Concerned Retiree Posted June 1, 2009 2:38 PM
- The CG is using you and partial truths to commit a crime in broad daylight. "In September, the Bertholf will undergo a period known as "post-shakedown availability," during which the Coast Guard will add a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF, an enclosed area for handling especially sensitive classified information. After that, the Bertholf will go through another round of TEMPEST testing and information assurance verification." It is NOT an add on. This two phase thing is nonsense and a cover up. The only reason they have to test again is because they screwed up the design and are covering by saying it was an add on. They built the ship and have to retrofit these spaces apart to add the SCIF, equipment, cables and antennas to the mast. That should never have happened. TEMPEST testing is not done until ALL of this is done. If they weren't having a problem making that work they wouldn't be 1.5 years late to date and say they need another year. They haven't figured out a way ti retrofit the ship to make it work and may NEVER be able to. The final TEMPEST tests include all systems at one time. They are covering this up right in front of everyone and the CG knows the press is buying it because they don't have the background to know the difference. --------- If you want to dig and find the truth I be glad to help you. If you want to do the work, not just repeat the propaganda you are fed and find the truth I can help you find the truth. The rest of this is making things worse. Do the work, find the truth or don't write the story at all. It is accomplishing exactly opposite of what I am sure you are trying to do and what we expect the press to do. Michael DeKort Posted May 30, 2009 1:00 PM
