Cisco's NSA Problem Is Going To Whack All Of US Tech's Growth Plans - ZDNet [View all]

[WillyT]

Cisco's NSA problem is going to whack all of US tech's growth plans
Summary: Will emerging markets really buy routers, servers and storage systems from US enterprise tech giants now that it's obvious the NSA intercepts them en route to install spying gear?
Larry Dignan - ZDNet
May 15, 2014 -- 14:25 GMT (07:25 PDT)

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Cisco's emerging markets business---the engine for the networking giant's future growth---continues to take a hit and that situation isn't likely to change now that it's common knowledge that the NSA has been intercepting routers---and other IT gear---in the supply chain so it can install call-home beacons.

These "upgrade" stations, which have generated a good bit of chatter, were revealed in Glenn Greenwald's book No Place to Hide. You can find the docs supporting Greenwald's book on his site even though links to the actual source information are hard to come by in the tech press.

According to the leaked docs, the NSA was really pleased with itself because it could intercept packages.



Cisco's general counsel Mark Chandler reiterated the U.S. government has overreached and shouldn't interfere with deliveries.

Chandler wrote:

We comply with US laws, like those of many other countries, which limit exports to certain customers and destinations; we ought to be able to count on the government to then not interfere with the lawful delivery of our products in the form in which we have manufactured them. To do otherwise, and to violate legitimate privacy rights of individuals and institutions around the world, undermines confidence in our industry.

...undermines confidence in our industry

More: http://www.zdnet.com/ciscos-nsa-problem-is-going-to-whack-all-of-us-techs-growth-plans-7000029495/