Highly regarded analyst
He resigned in 2001, having spent more than 30 years working at the NSA and has been described as one of the best analysts in its history. He was a high-profile critic of his former employers during the George W Bush administration.
Binney says that mass surveillance is a big problem and covers the entire planet, including Africa and South Africa, with no exceptions. Stories about NSA surveillance programmes have littered the headlines since 2013, following the leaks of secret documents by famous whistle-blower Edward Snowden. However, it seems the more we hear, the less clear things are and questions have been raised as to whether mass surveillance is even relevant to businesses and other organisations in SA.
Binney believes it is, and in his keynote, 'Unveiling the intelligence agencies', he will discuss the threat posed by the NSA, how too much data could be compromising its effectiveness, as well as solutions to the problem. He says the NSA collects and stores more data than it could possibly analyse and use effectively to uncover intentions and capabilities of threats.
The NSA threat is a growing one, as it is becoming dysfunctional because of all the data it makes its analysts look through. In terms of a solution, Binney believes the way forward should be to focus collection of data to only those in proximity to 'bad guys' in the social graphs or those who are showing properties that may suggest they need to be looked at.
Although recent reports have suggested Binney is critical of Snowden, who first lifted the lid on NSA snooping, over his comments about hacking into China, Binney says he remains a strong supporter of the whistle-blower.
Binney continues to speak out about the NSA's data collection policies and has also been publicly critical of the NSA for spying on US citizens, saying of its expanded surveillance after the September 11, 2001 attacks that "it's better than anything that the KGB, the Stasi, or the Gestapo and SS ever had."
For further information, go to www.securitysummit.co.za.
