U.S. Security Breach Four Times Larger Than Originally Predicted Affecting 18 Million Federal Employees

A cyberattack on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was originally reported to have accessed the records belonging to 4 million current federal employees, including previous and prospective ones. Reportedly, the attack is much larger than originally predicted by a long shot affecting nearly 18 million federal employees.

The big news out of major outlets recently rested on the case that only 4 million federal employees were at risk of having their Personnel information compromised due to a data breach. Unfortunately, the data breach has been confirmed by the FBI as reaching nearly 18 million records affecting those who applied for government jobs, current federal employees, and previous employees.

The 18 million estimate was given by FBI Director James Comey to Senators using the OPM's internal data. The same hackers responsible for breaching the OPM contractor, KeyPoint Government Solutions, is believed to be the culprits of this massive breach of an estimated 18 million federal employees, including prospective candidates and former workers.

Investigators in the case of examining the breach and figuring out who the blame can be put on, are still concluding that the Chinese government is behind the data intrusion. If the suspect proves to pan out the attack by China would be considered as the worst ever against the U.S. government.

The details get worst considering that officials believe that the number of people affected is expected to grow. How is this known to be? It is rather simple. The hackers in the breach were able to access a database storing government forms used for security clearances. These security clearances, known as SF86 questionnaires, contain private information those related to individuals who originally filled them out. The records breached in the attack could each contain information on multiple family members and associates.

This week alone is going to be a big eye opener for many within the U.S. government, including our lovely public who has yet to digest collectively this hot-off-of-the-press news. OPM officials will be facing multiple congressional hearings where many will seek responses and answers as to how, why and what. CNN was one of the first to break the news, which is summarized in their exclusive video below.

Another wrench in the whole breach situation proves to be the idea that a government oversight committee was told by internal auditors that the database housing sensitive national security data, including the applications for background checks, did not meet federal security standards. The plot naturally thickens with this information leaking out and China being a potential threat in this matter.

The blame game is starting to heat up as the leader of the OPM will be scrutinized for the lack of competence in effectively protecting national security data, especially from a foreign entity like China.

The data breach should be a lesson to many. The protection of data should be of the utmost importance whether on a Personnel home computer or when it comes to the U.S. safeguarding critical and sensitive information belonging to federal employees and those related to such individuals.