Hackers linked to China appear to have gained access to the sensitive background information submitted by intelligence and military personnel for security clearances, several US officials said on Friday.
The officials described to AP a second cyber-breach of federal records that could dramatically compound the potential damage first reported on June 5, when the personnel records of around 4 million US government employees were breached.
The forms authorities believed to have been accessed, require applicants to fill out deeply personal information about mental illnesses, drug and alcohol use, past arrests and bankruptcies. They also require the listing of contacts and relatives, potentially exposing any foreign relatives of US intelligence employees to coercion. Both the applicant's national identification number and that of his or her cohabitant is required.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the security clearance material is classified. Full story...
Related posts:
The officials described to AP a second cyber-breach of federal records that could dramatically compound the potential damage first reported on June 5, when the personnel records of around 4 million US government employees were breached.
The forms authorities believed to have been accessed, require applicants to fill out deeply personal information about mental illnesses, drug and alcohol use, past arrests and bankruptcies. They also require the listing of contacts and relatives, potentially exposing any foreign relatives of US intelligence employees to coercion. Both the applicant's national identification number and that of his or her cohabitant is required.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the security clearance material is classified. Full story...
Related posts:
No comments:
Post a Comment