Terrorists Notwithstanding, Our Own Idealogues Are Killing Us

The dictionary describes an idealogue as "one given to fanciful ideas or theories". Unfortunately the Department of Homeland Security is replete with such people. They are dangerous to our health and well being because of their fantasies, in particular the notion that one's social media activities are private and not subject to search. The most egregious and astonishing fact associated with the failure to prevent the recent tragic loss of fourteen lives in San Bernardino was the intentional omission of a search of social media activity in the name of political correctness. What utter nonsense! The murdering terrorists were active on certain Internet sites that could easily have been discovered by even mediocre technical talent. But the examination of such sites was deemed an invasion of privacy by the government agency whose principal function is to protect the public. Their employees are forbidden to look at social media sites when searching for bad guys . . . or gals.

Is the protection of financial interests more important than protecting lives? It is a fact that examining social media activities of individuals is de rigeur by employers, business auditors . . . and by the IRS. The following advice is from a web site published by major auditing firm Ernst and Young. It details the need for entities to thoroughly examine social media sites to protect clients from injurious activities. Social media risk assessment — Collaborate with the IT organization to assess the social media activities that would create the highest level of risk to the organization. Evaluate the threats to the organization’s information security through the use of social media. This audit may be combined with a social media governance audit to then confirm policies have been designed to address the highest risks to the organization. Social media governance audit — Evaluate the design of policies and procedures in place to manage social media within the organization. Review policies and procedures against leading practices. Does a governance process exist for social media within the organization? How well are policies related to social media known among employees? Social media activities audit — Audit the social media activities of the organization and its employees against the policies and procedures in place. Identify new risks and assist in developing policies and controls to address the risks. Are social media activities aligned to policy? What corrective actions need to be put in place for any of the activities?

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And the following advice comes from a legal adviser to individuals likely to face IRS examinations. "Understand that once you are targeted for an audit, everything you do or have done in online and electronic transactions can be used against you. The online footprints you leave stay with you for a long period of time. The IRS has broad investigatory powers (and now the technology) to go back and look. It is ingesting and storing many kinds of data that could be used for specific audits. As an example, even a college student's careless tweets about never paying back that loan or "going on this scammy free travel junket" could be used later to profile economic behavior." Further, most employers entitle themselves to search social media sites to assess the activities of prospective employees. It is routine and expected practice. How then can certain government departments eschew what is acceptable practice by other government departments in other venues? Jack Benny was famous for his reply to a street mugger who threatened, "Your money or your life!" Benny hesitantly replied, "I'm thinking it over." Thinking it over should be done by DHS . . . right now!