POW! BAM! ZOINK! Holy Delete, Batman! Christine Axsmith, a software contractor for the CIA, was recently bounced from her position for blogging on the job via Intelink, the intranet of the intelligence world. Blogging as "Covert Communications", or "CC" for short, Axsmith opined her feelings of the day regarding national security issues or, as reported by The Washington Post, "bad food in the CIA cafeteria." (July 23, 2006). Only persons with top-secret clearance could view Axsmith's post. Apparently, online blogging is an electronic tool used by CIA employees as a method to exchange information and ideas about group projects. In other words, blog about work. Her final entry regarding waterboarding as a form of torture didn't sit well with her superiors, who indicated Axsmith had blogged specific information regarding knowledge of interrogations. Holy Compromised Alter Ego! Axsmith should have thrown up the Bat-Signal. "The Batman Handbook" The Ultimate Training Manual, written by Scott Beatty (Quirk Productions, 2005) is required reading for all bloggers working undercover. Think about it. Bloggers are the Super Heroes of the online world. Computers and the Internet are the weapons of choice. We throw words around like grappling hooks and keyboard our way out of many a dire comment. Every Super Hero maintains an alter ego. But is that alter ego protected to the ultimate max? Have you bulletproofed your Batmobile? Gather round, Justice Leaguers and cloak your identity in the dark ways of the Caped Crusader...ironically aka "CC". "Make your civilian identity distinct and unique from your super-heroic alter ego." In other words, no blogging at work. No work computers, no intranet, no Internet, nada. Big Brother is always watching and can take over your computer like an unwelcome virus. Blog on your own time. "If your super-hero alter ego is mentioned in open conversation, feign indifference, indignation, or fear." Repeat after me. "Whhaaattt? Let me get this right. Someone is blogging...here...at WORK? Are they crazy? With all that NSA stuff going on? That's just whacked." "Limit the number of persons who know you secret identity." Important. Don't tell your Mom. She'll brag. "My kid...the BLOGGER. All day long. At work, already. Blog. Blog. BLOG." Soon, the bat's out of the cave and you'll find yourself utilizing alternate exits and entrances from your place of business. If indeed, a fellow crusader finds their alias compromised, be prepared to cyanide your PC. School yourself in the methodology of the short circuit. According to "The Batman Handbook", "knowing how to defeat electrically powered equipment has saved the day more than once." Back up your work, find the hot wire, and short circuit your way to job security. Before "The Man" short circuits you. |
