Scoop was right: This is why they didn't release SAIC Diebold rpt:

[BevHarris]

Because in view of the whackamole controversy, the "positive findings" from the SAIC report look ludicrous. So they quietly sent a press release and never released results. This is what althecat (Scoop Media) predicted in his post last night. I expect that, with an attempt to keep blackboxvoting.org off the web, they'll try to get a few days of decent press with this.

====================

Diebold Election Systems Moves Forward with Maryland Voting Machine Installation
Wednesday September 24, 4:50 pm ET
Governor and State of Maryland Issue Independent Review of Diebold Machines: Study Yields Positive Results
Maryland release available at: http://www.diebold.com/dieboldes/maryland.htm

MCKINNEY, Texas, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Diebold Election Systems today commended Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., and the state for undertaking the most exhaustive study to date into the security of an electronic voting system. By commissioning the highly-respected Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to conduct an independent study of all aspects of the Diebold system operating within the state's specific elections procedures, voters in the State of Maryland can now rest assured that they will participate in highly secure and accurate elections.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000608/DIEBLOGO )
"We are pleased to be moving forward," said Thomas W. Swidarski, president of Diebold Election Systems. "The thorough system assessment conducted by SAIC verifies that the Diebold voting station provides an unprecedented level of election security."

SAIC's analysis, released today, was based on Maryland's recently adopted Information Technology Security Policy and Standards. Upon reviewing SAIC's recommendations, and the new Maryland standards, state officials announced that Diebold Election Systems' touch-screen voting systems meet these standards, which include enhanced encryption and programming flexibility.

As the country moves to modernize its elections systems to ensure access and fairness to all voters, we can expect further enhancements to the various systems in the marketplace. But, as the Maryland study shows, the technical foundation has been laid to provide the most efficient, secure and accurate elections possible. "Maryland has established a new standard of excellence for the electronic voting process," said Thomas W. Swidarski, president of Diebold Election Systems. "Diebold Election Systems looks forward to supporting the state as it strives to be a leader in election reform in this country."

Diebold Election Systems is a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Diebold, Incorporated, a global leader in providing integrated self-service delivery systems and services. Diebold employs more than 13,000 associates with representation in more than 88 countries worldwide, and is headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, USA. Diebold reported revenue of $1.9 billion in 2002 and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'DBD.' For more information on Diebold Election Systems, Inc., visit the company's Web site at www.dieboldes.com , or call 1-800-433-VOTE.

[Kelvin Mace]

1. Huh?

"The thorough system assessment conducted by SAIC verifies that the Diebold voting station provides an unprecedented level of election security."


That not what the SAIC summary says

David Allen
Publisher, CEO, Janitor
Plan Nine Publishing
1237 Elon Place
High Point, NC 27263
http://www.plan9.org

[punpirate]

3. They're being a little sneaky about...

... language, maybe. Their press release says "voting station," not "voting system."

Cheers.

[BevHarris]

2. SAIC report: "GEMS server set up noncompliant"

entire chapter redacted.

[stickdog]

4. What the FUCK is the problem with these people?

Do they really think there's NOTHING they can't get away with?

[Cocoa]

5. nice spin, Bev!

like the pro PR person you are.

And quick, too. That's always important. Never let people interpret things on their own. :toast:

[MGKrebs]

6. wow. Amazing. Quotes from the report:

"Bring the AccuVote-TS voting system into compliance with the State of Maryland Information security Policy and Standards."

"Apply cryptographic protocols to protect transmission of vote tallies."

"Implement a formal, documented process to detect and respond to unauthorized transaction attempts by authorized and/or unauthorized users." You mean this isn't being done yet??!!

"Remove the SBE GEMS server immediately from any network connections. Rebuild the server from trusted media to assure and validate that the system has not been compromised."

"Discontinue the use of an FTP server to distribute the approved ballots."

"The system, as implemented in policy, procedure, and technology, is at high risk of compromise."

"...SAIC has identified several high-risk vulnerabilities that, if exploited, could have significant impact upon the AccuVote-TS voting system operation."

"2.1.1 AccuVote-TS voting system is not in compliance with State of Maryland Information Security Policy & Standards."