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It was a routine scene, in which no announcements were expected. But no matter how we do it, an open and confidential debate by the EU Defense Ministers can only touch on sensitive issues or even issues of the highest level of security for the Member States. At the very least, it is assumed that all necessary measures have been taken to secure telecommunications against indiscriminate intruders.
And yet, the teleconference on Friday was a surprise for the European defense ministers: on one of the screens, a young man in a black shirt, a little unshaven, suddenly appears, somehow embarrassing the other participants. This is probably not a defense minister who just wore something casual. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, who moderates the debate from Brussels, is puzzled for a moment and asks to know more about the identity of the uninvited intruder. He tells him that he is a journalist from Holland. Surprised Borel: “You know you are in a confidential conversation? Their stay is a crime …” The uninvited intruder politely apologizes and leaves.
Hacker or … sir?
A little later, the Dutch television network RTL Niews, in which the demonic reporter Daniel Verlaan works, broadcasts a relevant report. It does not issue an extract of the confidential discussions, except at that moment, in which Josep Borrell declares in surprise: “They have hacked us …” from the European Defense Ministers? If so, how easily can seasoned hackers, or worse, secret services, invade teleconferences and who knows who else?
However, everything shows that the young reporter did not have to hack anyone, but entered as … a man, with the key in his hand. Because as it became known later, the “security breach” stems from an inspiration from Dutch Defense Minister Ank Bileveld, who is currently in quarantine due to a pandemic and works from home. Wanting to remember that she continues with her activities, Ms. Bileveld posted on Twitter a photo that shows her sitting at the table, preparing for the Defense Ministers meeting. Next to him he has some notes, a cup of coffee, a glass of water. Unfortunately, at the same table, a paper with the password for the videoconference was forgotten. To the attentive observer, only the last element of the code was not visible. Journalist Daniel Verlaan tried different variations and finally came up with the right combination, piercing the … shrines of Brussels.
Prime Minister recommends “caution”
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, was not at all enthusiastic about all this, but did not want to publicly criticize his minister. “We see how careful all ministers must be when using Twitter,” he says succinctly (and not via Twitter). “Golden comedy” is the comment of former MEP Michael van Hulten. Less amusing is the incident of a representative of the European Council, who speaks of “illegal action, which will be reported to the competent authorities.”
source: Deutsche Welle
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