Data intelligence firms proposed a systematic attack against WikiLeaks

[Joanne98]

After a tip from Crowdleaks.org, The Tech Herald has learned that HBGary Federal, as well as two other data intelligence firms, worked to develop a strategic plan of attack against WikiLeaks. The plan included pressing a journalist in order to disrupt his support of the organization, cyber attacks, disinformation, and other potential proactive tactics.


The tip from Crowdleaks.org is directly related to the highly public attack on HBGary, after Anonymous responded to research performed by HBGary Federal COO, Aaron Barr. Part of Anonymous’ response included releasing more than 50,000 internal emails to the public. For more information, the initial coverage is here.

What was pointed out by Crowdleaks is a proposal titled “The WikiLeaks Threat” and an email chain between three data intelligence firms. The proposal was quickly developed by Palantir Technologies, HBGary Federal, and Berico Technologies, after a request from Hunton and Williams, a law firm that currently counts Bank of America as a client.

The law firm had a meeting with Bank of America on December 3. To prepare, the firm emailed Palantir and the others asking for “…five to six slides on Wikileaks - who they are, how they operate and how this group may help this bank.”

http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/201106/6798/Data-intelligence-firms-proposed-a-systematic-attack-against-WikiLeaks

[seafan]

1. This is interesting:

From the link:


Looks like BofA is chewing its nails to the quick over WikiLeaks. The truth is apparently very damaging.

.....

Hunton and Williams were recommended to Bank of America’s general council by the Department of Justice, according to the email chain viewed by The Tech Herald. The law firm was using the meeting to pitch Bank of America on retaining them for an internal investigation surrounding WikiLeaks.

“They basically want to sue them to put an injunction on releasing any data,” an email between the three data intelligence firms said. “They want to present to the bank a team capable of doing a comprehensive investigation into the data leak.”

Hunton and Williams would act as outside council on retainer, while Palantir would take care of network and insider threat investigations. For their part, Berico Technologies and HBGary Federal would analyze WikiLeaks.

.....

In less than 24-hours, the three analytical companies created a presentation filled with publically available information and ideas on how the firms could be “deployed” against WikiLeaks “as a unified and cohesive investigative analysis cell.”

.....

The proposal starts with an overview of WikiLeaks, including some history and employee statistics. From there it moves into a profile of Julian Assange and an organizational chart. The chart lists several people, including volunteers and actual staff.

One of those listed as a volunteer, Salon.com columnist, Glenn Greenwald, was singled out by the proposal. Greenwald, previously a constitutional law and civil rights litigator in New York, has been a vocal supporter of Bradley Manning, who is alleged to have given diplomatic cables and other government information to WikiLeaks. He has yet to be charged in the matter.

Greenwald became a household name in December when he reported on the “inhumane conditions” of Bradley Manning’s confinement at the Marine brig in Quantico, Virginia. Since that report, Greenwald has reported on WikiLeaks and Manning several times.

“Glenn was critical in the Amazon to OVH transition,” the proposal says, referencing the hosting switch WikiLeaks was forced to make after political pressure caused Amazon to drop their domain.

.....

So, pointing out the maltreatment of a prisoner is grounds for a vendetta against Glenn Greenwald, don'tcha know.





Here is a look at the their plan of attack on WikiLeaks:









Just a few comments....


"Submit fake documents and then call out the error."

Reminds me of what happened with the right wing assault on Dan Rather in reporting on Bush's AWOL history in the Guard. The purported 'typeface' and such. (Nevermind that the information itself was truthful.)

"Create exposure stories" and their own cyberattacks..... hmmmm.

The ubiquitous "media campaign" for disinformation...


And thinking that *all* journalists are presstitutes.

[hootinholler]

3. Yes, that is interesting. n/t

[Hissyspit]

5. Fucking evil.

"Liberal bent."

And stupid. WikiLeaks is not gonna "fold." It may have to mutate, but the info is out there already.

[Raschel]

8. Hunton and Williams recommended to BOA by the Department of Justice?

I suppose that means they got the most dirty firm around.

[snot]

9. And just what are they planning against Greenwald??

Their knowing statement: "most of these people will choose professional preservation" -- wish we knew the background of experience that's based on.

[Charleston Chew]

12. related links

EXPOSED: Attack on Wikileaks
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x553074

How one man tracked down Anonymous—and paid a heavy price
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/02/how-one-security-firm-tracked-anonymousand-paid-a-heavy-price.ars

Executive Who Worked On ChamberLeaks Project Previously Complained About Personal Privacy Invasion
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/02/11/aaron-barr-privacy

Hacked Documents Show Chamber Engaged HBGary to Spy on Unions
http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2011/02/10/will-the-chamber-continue-wits-hbgary-work-now-that-theyve-been-hacked

[bemildred]

2. Right, and these clowns cannot even protect their own assets and communications.

They think preparing "five to six slides on Wikileaks" is doing something. I am sure everyone should be very afraid.

[starroute]

4. The lawfirm involved has also worked for the Koch brothers

As noted below, Hunton and Williams has been the lobbyist for Koch Industries, as well as various business, energy industry, and anti-environmental groups.

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/global-warming-and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/koch-direct-lobbying-expenditu/

Koch Industries spent a total of $37.9 million on oil and gas lobbying from January 2006 to December 2009. During this period in the oil and gas sector, Koch Industries was outspent only by ExxonMobil ($87.8 million) and Chevron Corporation ($50 million). . . .

It is worth noting that Koch also hires outside lawyers to lobby on its behalf, in some cases the same firms that lobby for other groups of which Koch is a member. . . .

Hunton and Williams, $60,000 (2009), $150,000 (2008), $80,000 (2007), which also lobbied for National Association of Manufacturers (2009, 2008) and Americans for Affordable Climate Policy (2009), Edison Electric Institute (2009, 2008, 2007), Gas Processing Association (2009, 2008) and the Foundation for Environment and Economic Progress (2009, 2008, 2007).

[drm604]

6. Yet Palantir can't even keep their own documents from leaking out,

and HBGary can't protect their email or their website from a bunch of script kiddies.

Also, I'm skeptical that Greenwald is all that critical to Wikileaks.

[drm604]

7. Why hasn't the BOA (or whatever bank it is) data been released yet? n/t

[snot]

10. Assange has said

it's because Wikileaks is cash-strapped, which is certainly true.

Another source said the info isn't all that explosive (sorry, don't recall where I read that).

[drm604]

11. How much money does it take to release the data to the same newspapers they released the cables to?

:shrug: