Could Dementia in the National Security Workforce Create a Security Threat? | Hacker News Reader

Could Dementia in the National Security Workforce Create a Security Threat?

rand.org

20 pointscarabiner10 comments

Two trends might contribute to a new type of national security threat: (1) People are living longer, and (2) people are working later in life. As a result, the workforce might experience a higher prevalence of dementia than in past generations. Taken together, we believe that an increasing number of cleared personnel—that is, personnel who hold or have held security clearances—have or will have dementia.

The next US president, who has unlimited access to all classified information, is going to be either 78 or 82 years old at the beginning of their term.

That sounds like a much greater potential threat than regular national security workers, most of whom are required to retire in their 60s.

This is a good point. If you have someone who retires at 65 and gets dementia at 80, the most recent secrets they know are already 15 years old. Generally speaking older information causes less harm if it’s disclosed.

It's theoretically possible the american public could reject both parties and elect an independent who isn't an old old man. The system is there to be used...

Once they get a taste of power they can’t let go. I can’t imagine working into my 80s-90s. These people aren’t doing for their constituents they’re doing it because they’re drunk off power and money. Somehow a 6 figure income turns into tens of millions. Their whole families are entrenched and seemly do not give two shits about their family member. It’s fucking wild.

They can’t retire, because the minute they do, their crimes might come out. When in office they have the clout to suppress information.

Applies to politicians world over.

Could dementia in congress create a security threat?

Shouldn't we be more worried about the president? Congress can't do much, and no one congressperson can do anything.

I think it's probably okay to be concerned about both of those things.

There's a secondary problem I've noticed working in this sector. Getting mental health assistance can be - and back in the day, very often was - an overwhelming black mark on your security clearance. So the tragic consequence is people with secret clearances don't get mental health until they're receiving radio beams from Venus. It could turn out to be tragic in more than one way.

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