美國國防部高層顧問丹·考德威爾因洩密調查被停職，突顯五角大廈內部資訊安全隱憂

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(Patrick Semansky/AP

2025年4月15日，美國國防部長彼得·赫格塞斯（Pete Hegseth）的高級顧問丹·考德威爾（Dan Caldwell）因涉嫌洩露敏感資訊，已被停職並被護送離開五角大廈。此舉是對近期一系列國防部內部洩密事件的回應，顯示出五角大廈對資訊安全的高度關注。

據報導，考德威爾曾是赫格塞斯在「關注美國退伍軍人」組織的同事，並在國防部擔任重要角色，參與對烏克蘭的政策制定以及協調對葉門胡塞武裝的軍事行動。他被指在一個由高層官員使用的Signal群組中，傳遞了與軍事行動有關的敏感資訊。該群組因意外加入《大西洋》雜誌主編而曝光，引發外界關注。

此次事件引發了對五角大廈資訊安全機制的質疑。國防部長的幕僚長喬·卡斯帕（Joe Kasper）在3月21日發布備忘錄，宣布將對洩密事件展開調查，並可能對涉事人員進行測謊測試。此舉旨在防止未經授權的資訊洩露，維護國家安全。 

三個重要觀點：

1. 高層顧問涉洩密，資訊安全再受關注： 考德威爾作為國防部長的高級顧問，其涉入洩密事件突顯了即使是高層官員也可能成為資訊洩露的源頭，對五角大廈的資訊安全機制提出挑戰。
2. 非官方通訊工具的風險： 使用Signal等非官方通訊工具進行敏感資訊交流，增加了資訊洩露的風險，顯示出在數位時代，資訊安全管理需要更嚴格的規範。
3. 加強內部監控與防洩措施： 國防部計劃對洩密事件進行深入調查，包括可能的測謊測試，顯示出對內部監控與防洩措施的重視，以防止未來類似事件的發生。 

Senior Pentagon Adviser Dan Caldwell Placed on Leave Amid Leak Investigation, Highlighting Internal Information Security Concerns

On April 15, 2025, Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was placed on administrative leave and escorted out of the Pentagon amid an investigation into unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information. 

Reports indicate that Caldwell, a former colleague of Hegseth at Concerned Veterans for America, played a significant role in shaping policies related to Ukraine and coordinating military actions against Houthi forces in Yemen. He is alleged to have shared sensitive information within a Signal messaging group used by senior officials, which came to light after the accidental inclusion of The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief.

This incident has raised questions about the Pentagon’s information security protocols. On March 21, Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, issued a memo announcing an investigation into leaks of national security information, including the possibility of polygraph tests for personnel involved.

1. A senior adviser involved in a leak puts a spotlight back on information security
   As a close aide to the Defense Secretary, Caldwell’s alleged role in the leak shows that even top-level officials can pose internal risks, revealing gaps in the Pentagon’s information protection systems.

2. Unofficial messaging apps pose new risks
   The use of apps like Signal, which are not officially sanctioned for classified communications, increases the potential for leaks due to lack of oversight.

3. Pentagon launches polygraph testing and internal probe to strengthen leak prevention
   In response, the Department of Defense has begun an internal investigation, including polygraph testing, showing its serious intent to enforce stronger leak prevention and safeguard national security.