Why would physical copies of classified documents need to be retained when high speed scanners can create digital copies that are much easier to hide?
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It was hammered into my head again and again as a young RCAF officer that “The best security is physical security.” Paper originals are as good as it can get. Even Trump would recognize that making copies, or using digital transmission methods, would dilute the value of the documents he was holding, as he would increase the risk of loss of control over security and thus the unique value of the document.
Simplest reason? Sometimes you want only _one_of something. The more there is of something the more likely that something will be exposed to those for whom viewing that something is less than appropriate.
I’ve only skimmed through a handful of comments, but so far it seems like most folks aren’t familiar with information security within the federal government.
Virtually all classified information is created and stored digitally. There is a six step process of planning, collection, processing, analysis, reporting, and feedback. Basically, you get some info from a classified source, or you use a classified method to collect unclassified sources.
Depending on the source (human vs digital), the process may begin physical, but at some point the processing or analysis will take place on a computer. Although there are exceptions for facilities in the field, these computers must be on a secure network, in a secure facility.
Now, how do you report the finished product to decision makers (higher ups)? There are two common practices. First, you could publish your report on a secure feed. Someone logs in, prints off your report, and gives it to the decision maker in the room where they are allowed to read classified material. Or, the decision maker watches a video presentation, where you control the source of the video feed. Power points are common here.
In the end, there are A LOT of printed reports. At my office, we’d fill several binders every morning, then shred them later. Lots and lots of shredding. If someone accidentally walks out with on of those papers then bam, that’s a massive security infraction.
Why would you store the paper reports? Maybe you’re working on a long-term project and need to keep referencing old reports. Maybe, when it comes to nuclear capabilities, you need access to the info immediately (honestly I have no idea in the instance).
But really, it comes down to elected officials and their appointees. These folks have no idea what they’re doing. They get the same mandated, repeat trainings on information security. Then, they get a report that’s interesting, and they tell their staff to file it away. Even though it’s supposed to be shredded within 30 days. Even though their facilities isn’t supposed to hold classified information overnight unattended. Or, the decision maker demands that the security specialists file away copies of their daily intel report even though that creates an unnecessary security risk. Or, security standards are different for the White House, Idfk tbh and most folks probably don’t either.
TLDR/to actually answer your question: it’s not an issue involving scanners. The reports originated on a secure network, and were printed out for either immediate access, or for future reference. Could be for a lot of reasons why Trump had access to so many classified paper documents, but likely incompetence at some level.
Same reason a basic $30 door lock from Home Depot is more secure than a $300 Schlage wifi door lock.
It all has to do with the scope of vulnerability. If the information only exists as a physical object, its scope of vulnerability is the physical vicinity of the object. If it exists as a digital copy, the scope of vulnerability is: every single device that could conceivably connect to the same network that hosts the device where the digital copy is stored.
Of course Reddit doesn’t answer the actual question because narratives must be maintained. It’s weird for sure.
If you want to keep documents for nefarious reasons why wouldn’t you just make copies and send the originals back.
When deployed we retained hard copies of classified documents because you never knew when the power was going to go out and you might need that product to conduct a mission. That being said once they were no longer needed we burned them to ensure complete destruction.
I believe a lot of the Top Secret documents are printed on a special paper that cannot be scanned or copied.
https://www.thepapermillstore.com/security-paper
This thread is way off track. Paper copies exist because that is how old people read stuff, and it’s convenient to provide to executives like POTUS that way. Paper is not better. Anyone with access can read it, scan it, take a picture.
I store all documents for my personal affairs electronically, secured, encrypted. And so does the govt and everyone else. paper copies are for distribution, or some archival purposes. Paper copies are a liability not a benefit.
I don’t understand this question.
You are asking about retention and also concealment. Those are two completely different intelligence functions. Usually the people trying to achieve one are actively working against the ones trying to achieve the other.
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