When information leaks, it’s essential to preserve all possible evidence. This includes access logs, server activity, copies of leaked materials and more. In order to do this, it may be necessary to suspend normal deletion cycles across email servers, cloud platforms, document repositories and print systems until the materials can be reviewed. Additionally, it’s a good idea to temporarily halt any centralized shredding or destruction processes until the leak can be investigated.
US officials and close allies worry that a major leak of classified documents could jeopardize sensitive sources and threaten crucial foreign relationships. The documents, which have prompted US investigations, also reveal the extent of US eavesdropping on key allies such as South Korea and Israel. And they provide blunt assessments of the war in Ukraine, at a sensitive point in the conflict.
The man arrested in connection with the documents, 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, allegedly began posting the leaked material on a Discord chat for gamers months ago, according to an affidavit filed by US authorities. The affidavit alleges he is responsible for the leak and was a member of a group that was sharing the information with thousands of people online.
A number of the photographs posted to social media sites appear to show operational briefs from the Joint Staff. Others detail conditions in the war in Ukraine, including casualty assessments that appear to understate Russian losses and amplify Ukrainian gains. And still others discuss efforts by the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Wagner Group paramilitary organization to promote Russian ideals and downplay American ones.