US Secret Service personnel are putting the lives of Americas VIPs at risk by refusing to use government-issued phones but they might not be up to the job in the first place

Date:
Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:05:00 +0000

Description:
The Secret Service isn't abiding by its own guidance, and it could be putting lives at risk.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter US Secret Service personnel are using personal devices while conducting official business Personal devices
are not secured against the threats faced by Secret Service members But government-issued devices aren't equipped for the needs of Secret Service members either The Department of Homeland Security inspector general has released a new report which claims the US Secret Service is refusing to use government-furnished equipment (GFE), such as smartphones, because they are not suitable for mission operations.

The report states GFE fails to ensure real-time, continuous protection from cyberattacks by foreign adversaries or individuals with the equipment found
to contain multiple third-party apps with security vulnerabilities that could expose communications. In order to be able to perform effectively, Secret Service members are using personal devices to communicate with law
enforcement and each other during missions, but many personal devices are not secured against the threats faced during the protection of Americas VIPs. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: US government struggles to secure issued phones But using personal devices in professional operations is also highly unsecure. These devices often contain the whereabouts of Secret
Service personnel and the targets they are protecting during missions at home and abroad.

Furthermore, the devices only have the consumer level of cyber protections.
As they are not managed or operated by the US government, there is very
little protection against commercially available spyware or malware. You may like US soldier's personal phones allowed enemies to track positions and target troops in real time, Pentagon reveals Researcher tears down White
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In some cases, personnel used their personal devices as a hotspot for their GFE, or used their personal devices to access websites otherwise blocked on their GFE.

The report explains: If a personal device is jailbroken, infected with malicious code, or not up to date on security software, an adversary could intercept device communication. Outdated and vulnerable apps could enable malicious actors to conduct surveillance, track locations, or record
employees communications. Connecting to unsecured networks may also allow cybercriminals to access data or install malware. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The main culprit behind Secret Service personnel choosing not to use GFEs was found to be the Secret Services Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). According to the report, GFE mobile devices lacked mission-critical capabilities because Secret Service OCIOs process for assessing and approving requests did not always correctly identify operational needs.

Additionally, the expected protocol for most Secret Service members was to
use personal devices, so many avoided navigating the bureaucracy of
requesting access to communications apps on their GFE, which in return
created a blindspot for the OCIO who were not aware these apps were already being used at such a scale.

The report further found that no Secret Service GFE was equipped with Mobile Threat Defense software until August 2025, leaving them exposed to malicious software,

cyberattacks, and other vulnerabilities. Critical data was also retained on GFE devices after operatives returned from missions abroad, despite policy stating that devices should be wiped within 24 hours of returning to the US.

Ultimately, the report makes five key recommendations to the Secret Service
in order to improve the security of its operators: Introduce a formal policy that ensures all GFE are issued with the required capabilities and software for each mission Ensure all employees complete the required cybersecurity training Ensure the Secret Service OCIO clearly communicates its guidance
that personal devices are forbidden from use during official business Ensure controls are implemented to wipe devices in line with OCIO policy for returning personnel Subject all GFE mobile app code to an updated vulnerability testing policy Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/us-secret-service-personnel-are-putting -the-lives-of-americas-vips-at-risk-by-refusing-to-use-government-issued-phone s-but-they-might-not-be-up-to-the-job-in-the-first-place


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