Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 146 Core Data Self-Destruct Device

Luo Weiren continued, "A year ago, a senior researcher in the institute published a paper in a well-known international academic journal."

The paper itself has undergone necessary declassification processing, but some of the experimental data and theoretical models cited in it are highly related to the key technical path of a key project within the institute.

Although it cannot be directly convicted of intentional leaking of secrets, such disclosure of sensitive information in the public sphere undoubtedly provides important clues for outsiders to assess our technological progress.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the researcher stated he was trying to enhance his personal academic influence and was unaware of the seriousness of the issue; he was ultimately subject to serious internal disciplinary action.

Wu Zhiyuan asked, "What's this researcher's name?"

Luo Weiren said, "Wu Jiali."

Wu Zhiyuan wrote down the name.

Luo Weiren continued, "Six months ago, a young engineer in our institute, Hong Jiabao, had his work laptop stolen while attending an academic exchange conference abroad. Although there were no top-secret documents on the computer, there were internal documents. Through these internal documents, we can assess the general progress and technical level of my country's laser weapon development."

Although the computer is password protected, the hard drive is not encrypted, posing a risk of data leakage.

Even more strangely, in retrospect, Hung Ka-po admitted that he had briefly been entertained by a foreign colleague during the meeting, and had a few drinks during the meal, but could not recall the specific details of the computer's loss.

The matter was ultimately handled as a dereliction of duty, but whether there was a deliberate setup remains in doubt.

Wu Zhiyuan frowned. The situation was more complicated than he had anticipated.

There could be unintentional mistakes, exploited vulnerabilities, or even carefully disguised insiders.

The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light, making the investigation very difficult.

However, no matter how cunning the enemy is, they will leave loopholes. Just like Chang Long, who was meticulous in his plans, he made a mistake when he took out the trash at night.

Luo Weiren said earnestly, "Comrade Zhiyuan, your arrival is an important measure taken by the higher authorities to strengthen our security forces, especially our internal counter-espionage and counter-espionage capabilities."

Director Han is my senior from school; we've known each other for many years. Your arrival at Institute 835 was personally arranged by Director Han.

Your official position is Deputy Minister of Security, which makes it easier for you to carry out your work.

Director Han said, "In terms of professional matters, you are under the supervision of the department leaders, but if there's anything you need my cooperation with, just let me know."

"Thank you for your support, Director Luo." Wu Zhiyuan then asked, "Where is the institute's core research and development area? What security and confidentiality measures are in place?"

"Okay, I was just about to give you a detailed introduction." Luo Weiren stood up and walked to the 835 area map hanging on the side wall of the office. Wu Zhiyuan followed him.

"Look," Luo Weiren pointed to the blueprints, "our area is roughly divided into three zones. The outermost zone is the administrative office area and living support area, including the building we are in now, as well as the canteen, dormitories, etc. The security level is average."

His finger moved to the center of the blueprint: "The core R&D area is here, which we internally call the inner field or core area, mainly consisting of three separate buildings:"

Building 1 is the theoretical research and design center, Building 2 is the laser assembly and testing hall, and Building 3 is the data computing center and core laboratory.

These three buildings are surrounded by an internal wall, forming a separate courtyard with its own entrance.

Luo Weiren explained the security and confidentiality measures in the core area: "The first layer is physical isolation and access control. Entering the core area courtyard gate requires a special pass and a card swipe password, and there are security guards on duty 24 hours a day to verify identities."

The three buildings in the core area each have access control systems at their entrances.

"Building No. 2 and specific areas within Building No. 2, such as the final assembly workshop, testing hall, and core laboratory, implement a two-person-per-entry system, which means that at least two people must be present at the same time and supervise each other before entering."

"The second layer is electronic monitoring and alarms. The perimeter of the core area, all entrances and exits, corridors, and key equipment rooms are all covered by high-definition monitoring with no blind spots, and the video is stored for at least 90 days."

"The third line of defense is network and information protection. This is of paramount importance."

The core area network is a physically isolated classified internal network, completely disconnected from the Internet.

All external interfaces such as USB ports on the computer are disabled.

Data is primarily transmitted via a dedicated fiber optic cable channel within the institute or via strictly approved CD-ROMs.

If data is completely copied without the highest level of authorization, a self-destruct mechanism will be triggered.

Data can be remotely destroyed within 48 hours.

If more than 48 hours have passed and we do not activate the destroy button, the data will be automatically destroyed and become garbled.

Wu Zhiyuan asked, "Director Luo, why is the time limit for the core data self-destruct device set at 48 hours, instead of 24 hours or 72 hours?"

What considerations led to this specific duration?

Luo Weiren explained, "This 48-hour design is the result of precise calculations and trade-offs, mainly based on the following considerations:"

Our primary goal is to catch the suspect red-handed. If the timeframe is too short, say only 24 hours, our reaction and deployment time will be extremely limited.

A 48-hour window provides us with a relatively ample window of opportunity to conduct thorough monitoring and deployment, while also increasing the likelihood of apprehending the other party while they are transmitting data or attempting to hack it.

However, longer isn't always better. If the time limit is set to 72 hours or even longer, the data remains in the enemy's hands for too long. If the enemy has a top-notch cybersecurity team, the risk of them cracking or removing the self-destruct program will increase accordingly.

After assessment, we believe the likelihood of the other party being able to effectively analyze and crack such complex encrypted data within 48 hours is extremely low.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded thoughtfully: "I understand. 48 hours is not only the safe lifespan of the data, but also a carefully designed decoy period and reconnaissance window."

It should be used both to protect secrets and to lure out the enemy, eliminating potential threats.

"Exactly." Luo Weiren nodded. "It's like setting a trap with a countdown, testing the patience, skills, and decisiveness of both sides."

Of course, this is only the last line of defense. Our goal is always to keep the enemy out of the country and eliminate potential threats in their infancy.

Now that you're here, strengthening internal monitoring and personnel screening is precisely to detect any signs earlier, so that this last line of defense has as little chance as possible to be activated.

Wu Zhiyuan asked, "Director Luo, what are the institute's regulations regarding personnel management and confidentiality?"

Luo Weiren said, "The institute implements a strict confidentiality system and the principle of least privilege, and researchers can only access necessary information that is directly related to their work."

The copying, borrowing, and destruction of documents are all subject to strict procedures and records.

All items entering or leaving the core area, including personal belongings, must undergo security checks.

It is strictly forbidden to bring mobile phones, smartwatches, or other devices with wireless communication or camera functions into the core area.

At this moment, the encrypted phone received a message from Fisherman, a colleague who was lurking in Institute 835.

Following Chu Jianguo's instructions, Wu Zhiyuan maintained a one-way communication with the fisherman, receiving his orders and task assignments.

Wu Zhiyuan quickly glanced at his phone. The message, after being encrypted, read: 1 p.m. Fishing by the rockery and pond in the Jingsi Garden within the institute.

Jingsi Garden is a small garden within Institute 835, where researchers can rest and stroll. Its rockery and pond are located in a relatively secluded area, making it an ideal location for secret rendezvous.

"Fishing" is a pre-arranged code to confirm that everything is safe and there are no abnormalities.