Loose Lips Sink Ships
By Joseph Horvath, Nova Space CEO
I recently saw a recruiting firm put out a job advertisement for a space position with the following criteria:
Clearance Required for Position
Geographic Location
Type of Orbital Regime
Type of Sensor
In the national security space community, we call this classification by compilation:
“Classification by compilation is when you take two or more pieces of unclassified information and put them together in a way that discloses classified information. Similarly, you can apply this to items of information that are classified at a specified level, but when combined, becomes classified at a higher level.”
By putting all these pieces of information out to the public you are giving enough information to adversaries that may be able to determine what the project entails, and potentially even its capabilities.
To recruiting firms: stop doing this. It has the potential to cause damage to national security and could hurt your client.
To companies: stop using firms that do this. Not only can it damage national security, but it could put your program or facility clearance at risk.
Supporting clients who are developing classified programs requires a recruiting agency that have experience working in the national security space arena. Be careful who you choose.
