Personal Information as an Attack Vector: Why Privacy Should Be an Operational Dimension of US National Security

Personal Information

The US government has always been keen on its ability to protect sensitive and classified information from its enemies, yet the majority of resources have focused on military and national security information, which has left other categories of information exposed.

Capt. Christopher Dearing focuses the reader on the national security implications of personal information and the detrimental impact it possesses. This article provides an analysis of current privacy law and the information landscape, while highlighting areas where the US government has failed to keep pace to protect personal information, providing a valuable target for adversaries.

In an expansive call for action, Capt. Dearing recommends eight concrete steps that the government can take to better protect and manage personal information while developing stronger procedures to identify threats and respond to them.

By Christopher Dearing

Judge Advocate, United States Army. Presently assigned to the Legal Support Office (LSO), District of Columbia Army National Guard (DCARNG), Washington D.C., J.D., 2010, Seattle University School of Law. Previous assignments include Office of Complex Investigations, National Guard Bureau (NGB), 2019; Administrative Law Attorney, National Guard Bureau (NGB), 2016–2018; Strategic Policy Legal Advisor, NGB, 2015–2016; Operational Law Attorney-Cyber, NGB, 2014–2015; Operational Law Attorney, LSO-DCARNG, 2012–2014. Member of the bar of Washington. The author is exceptionally grateful for the generous assistance and mentorship of CAPT Todd C. Huntley (USN), Lt Col Anthony W. Burgos (USMC), and Prof. Laurie R. Blank (Emory University School of Law).

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