Social Networking Vulnerabilities

The Defense Department has started to analyze the vulnerabilities of social networking sites and Web 2.0 technologies such as Facebook and Twitter, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Butterbaugh said in a statement.

Butterbaugh said Defense plans to develop a new policy governing Web 2.0 technologies, but did not say when it would go into place. He said that senior Pentagon leadership - which presumably includes Facebook and Twitter user Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has not made any decision to block access across the board to all social networking sites.

Butterbaugh added, "As with any Internet-based capabilities, in addition to the merits and benefits, there are . . . challenges and operational risks that must be understood and mitigated."