SlashGear

Part of the US government’s response to WikiLeaks and the threat of further data exposure have themselves been leaked, with an immediate ban on removable media for military employees the biggest push for secrecy. According to a December 3rd “Cyber Control Order” obtained by Wired, Maj. Gen. Richard Webber of Air Force Network Operations has demanded that airmen “immediately cease use of removable media on all systems, servers, and stand alone machines residing on SIPRNET.” It’s apparently one such example of a directive sent out to all military branches.

While Maj. Gen. Webber’s directive concedes that “users will experience difficulty with transferring data for operational needs which could impede timeliness on mission execution,” it nonetheless insists that anybody disobeying the order “shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.” The order covers CDs, DVDs, thumb-drives and other forms of easily-transported storage.

Ironically, loose-lipped Defense Department insiders claim that while there’s been plenty of talk about tightened data security, there’s been little change in daily routine. “The general perception is business as usual. I’m not kidding,” a source claims, going on to insist “we haven’t turned a brain cell on it.”