USB security breach threatens Heathrow Airport safety

Heathrow airport security may be at risk after a USB stick full of confidential and restricted information made it on the streets of London, writes The Mirror. The memory stick was found by a civilian under leaves on Ilbert Street, in Queen”s Park, West London, who plugged into a computer at a local library.

The USB contains 2.5GB of unencrypted data, including 76 folders with videos and maps, information handed over to The Mirror. As it didn”t have password protection, The Mirror easily accessed security protocol information about the Queen”s travel, as well as of cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries, types of IDs necessary to access restricted areas, covert cops included, timetable information of guards on the lookout for suicide bombers and terrorist attacks and maps of CCTV cameras, among others.

Police are concerned that the information may have been copied and disseminated on the Dark Web, “posing a risk to national security,” where it can be purchased by criminals.

“Heathrow”s top priority is the safety and security of our passengers and colleagues. The UK and Heathrow have some of the most robust aviation ­security measures in the world and we remain vigilant to evolving threats by updating our procedures on a daily basis,” said an airport representative.

“We have reviewed all of our security plans and are confident that Heathrow remains secure. We have also launched an internal investigation to understand how this happened and are taking steps to prevent a similar occurrence in future.”