FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly inquiring about the state of cybersecurity at vulnerable Trump properties.

In May, the technology website Gizmodo chronicled the disturbing lack of security at Trump-owned hotels – including completely open Wi-Fi networks and Internet-connected printers that could easily be hacked to capture sensitive data.

In the letter, Mr. Lieu writes :

“As of this writing, President Trump has traveled to his Mar-a-Lago estate seven times since taking office. While the U.S. Secret Service is no doubt well acquainted with traditional security protocols involving visits to the site at this point in the President’s tenure, I am disturbed by a recent report that indicates security researchers affiliated with the website Gizmodo discovered weakly encrypted Wi-Fi networks at Mar-a-Lago, and completely open Wi-Fi networks at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. As computer science major, I can affirm that such lapses carry a host of implications for the President’s personal security and the country’s national security.”

Mr. Lieu’s letter also asks the following questions of Secretary Kelly :

1. Is the Department of Homeland Security aware of the May 17th report in question?

2. Are Secret Service staff who are responsible for cybersecurity familiar with the April 2017 DHS report entitled, “Study on Mobile Security,” which details threats, vulnerabilities, and solutions to address identified weaknesses – and are they implementing DHS’ recommendations on best practices?

3. Is any entity, public or private, responsible for securing Wi-Fi networks at properties belonging to the President – both while he is physically there, and when he is away – and if so, what entity is responsible?

4. Although Secret Service routinely establishes portable and secure communications equipment, the President has reportedly held meetings in public spaces at his properties. Has Secret Service taken measures to ensure President Trump does not connect his personal mobile device to insecure networks while visiting his family’s properties?

5. What measures has DHS and/or U.S. Secret Service taken to address the increased presence of unsecured digital devices – for example, Internet of Things-connected devices – in close proximity to the President?

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FULL TEXT OF MR. LIEU’S LETTER

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