(7 Sep 2016) A new congressional report provides previously undisclosed details and a behind-the-scenes chronology of one of the worst-ever cyberattacks on the United States, laying out missed opportunities before the break-in at the Office of Personnel Management exposed security clearances, background checks and fingerprint records. That attack _ widely blamed on China's government _ compromised personal information of more than 21 million current, former and prospective federal employees, led to the resignation of the OPM director and drew outrage over changing explanations about the hack's seriousness.
The report by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform faulted the personnel agency for failing to secure sensitive data despite warnings for years that it was vulnerable to hackers. It concluded that the hacking revealed last year could have been prevented if OPM had put in place basic, required security controls and recognized from an earlier break-in that it was actually dealing with a sophisticated, persistent enemy.
"We have literally tens of millions of Americans whose data was stolen by a nefarious overseas actor, but it was entirely preventable," Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican and committee chairman, said in an interview. "With some basic hygiene, some good tools, an awareness and some talent, they really could have prevented this.
OPM Acting Director Beth Cobert said in a statement the agency disagrees with much of the report and it "does not fully reflect where this agency stands today." She said the OPM hack "provided a catalyst for accelerated change within our organization," including hiring new cybersecurity experts and strengthening its security.
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