Thursday, July 20, 2006
State Dept. Probes Possible Computer Hack
State Dept. probes possible computer hack
The hardware was in offices that deal with China and North Korea
Reuters July 12, 2006 - The U.S. Department of State said yesterday that it is investigating "anomalies" in its unclassified computer system, but officials declined to comment on a report that agency computers had been hacked.
The Associated Press said the State Department detected large-scale break-ins of its computers last month in its headquarters and offices that deal with China and North Korea.
State Department spokeswoman Nancy Beck confirmed only that the problem was not a computer virus and that an investigation is now under way.
"While our investigation continues, there is no indication that any sensitive U.S. government information was compromised," Beck said. "The department detected anomalies in network traffic, and we felt it prudent to take measures to ensure our system's integrity.
"We take each and every potential threat very seriously," she said. "Cybersecurity contingency plans were in place, and we activated them immediately."
Beck said the case represents a "textbook example" of the department's ability to detect and defeat a threat before it could do any damage. Like the private sector and other government agencies, the State Department constantly battles attempts from multiple sources to penetrate its computer system, she said.
According to AP's sources, investigators believe that hackers may have stolen sensitive information and passwords and installed "back doors" that would allow them to return to unclassified government computers.
The hardware was in offices that deal with China and North Korea
Reuters July 12, 2006 - The U.S. Department of State said yesterday that it is investigating "anomalies" in its unclassified computer system, but officials declined to comment on a report that agency computers had been hacked.
The Associated Press said the State Department detected large-scale break-ins of its computers last month in its headquarters and offices that deal with China and North Korea.
State Department spokeswoman Nancy Beck confirmed only that the problem was not a computer virus and that an investigation is now under way.
"While our investigation continues, there is no indication that any sensitive U.S. government information was compromised," Beck said. "The department detected anomalies in network traffic, and we felt it prudent to take measures to ensure our system's integrity.
"We take each and every potential threat very seriously," she said. "Cybersecurity contingency plans were in place, and we activated them immediately."
Beck said the case represents a "textbook example" of the department's ability to detect and defeat a threat before it could do any damage. Like the private sector and other government agencies, the State Department constantly battles attempts from multiple sources to penetrate its computer system, she said.
According to AP's sources, investigators believe that hackers may have stolen sensitive information and passwords and installed "back doors" that would allow them to return to unclassified government computers.
Labels: US Dept. of State
