Chinese hack of government network compromises security clearance files. How is this not a national security issue?

2015-06-12T17:04:46-04:00

The Chinese breach of the Office of Personnel Management network was wider than first acknowledged and officials said Friday that a database holding sensitive security clearance information on millions of federal employees and contractors also was compromised.

That database was breached last year by the Chinese in a separate incident and the new intrusion underscores how persistent and determined the adversary is in going after data valuable to counterespionage.

“This is potentially devastating from a counterintelligence point of view,” said Joel Brenner, a former top counterintelligence official for the U.S. government. “These forums contain decades of personal information about people with clearances. ..which makes them easier to recruit for foreign espionage on behalf of a foreign country.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/chinese-hack-of-government-network-compromises-security-clearance-files/2015/06/12/9f91f146-1135-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html?hpid=z1

Chinese hack of federal personnel files included security-clearance database

The breach of computer systems could have “devastating” counterintelligence effects.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 12 at 2015 5:08 PM

2015-06-12T17:08:26-04:00

It absolutely IS a national security issue.

This administration may not like to call it one when they are trying to get Chinese cooperation on other unrelated issues, but the administration is being short-sighted in my opinion.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jun 12 at 2015 5:44 PM

2015-06-12T17:44:13-04:00

Officials: Deeply personal information in hackers' hands

Several U.S. officials say hackers linked to China appear to have gained access to sensitive background information submitted by intelligence and military personnel seeking security clearances. The break is the second cyberbreach of federal records revealed in a week and could dramatically compound the potential damage.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 13 at 2015 6:26 AM

2015-06-13T06:26:10-04:00

I'm not really that surprised that hacking is so easy and prevalent in a beurocracy. So much red tape to get upgrades and people.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jun 15 at 2015 4:05 AM

2015-06-15T04:05:56-04:00

Sex, lies and debt potentially exposed by U.S. data hack ...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sex-lies-and-debt-potentially-exposed-by-us-data-hack/ar-BBl9eAl

Sex, lies and debt potentially exposed by U.S. data hack

When a retired 51-year-old military man disclosed in a U.S. security clearance application that he had a 20-year affair with his former college roommate's wife, it was supposed to remain a secret between him and the government.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jun 15 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-06-15T11:01:12-04:00

I'm not concerned about blackmail or identify theft so much, but is anyone concerned with this information being used for targeted attacks? What if it's sold to the highest bidder or it was just made to look like China was behind it when a potentially worse actor could have this data? Am I paranoid or what?

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jun 16 at 2015 3:46 AM

2015-06-16T03:46:12-04:00

*** UPDATE ***

After China hack is discovered to include security files, White House tells agencies to lock down systems ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/06/15/after-china-hack-is-discovered-to-include-security-files-white-house-tells-agencies-to-lock-down-systems/?tid=hpModule_308f7142-9199-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239&hpid=z14

After China hack is discovered to include security files, White House tells agencies to lock down...

Federal agencies have been criticized for moving slowly to protect their computer networks against intruders.