State Department Email Hack Left Some Employee Info Vulnerable

Earlier this month, the State Department issued an alert revealing that its unclassified email system had been compromised. As a result of the breach, a small number of employees may have had their personal data exposed to the hackers. Impacted individuals have been informed about the breach, which fortunately did not involve the Department's classified email system.

The alert was issued on September 7, according to Politico, which received a copy of the notice. In it, the State Department cited 'activity of concern' that had impacted less than one percent of its employees' email inboxes. It is possible that "certain employees' personally identifiable information may have been exposed," according to the alert.

An anonymous US official revealed to the publication that the State Department has since formed a task force that is looking into this breach. The incident involved an email service that is hosted in the cloud by a "private sector service provider."

The State Department has previously suffered cyberattacks, including a major incident that happened in 2014. The agency hasn't identified the hackers at this time, nor is it clear whether they know who is responsible. The State Department has been heavily criticized in the past for what some feel is lackluster cybersecurity that leaves the agency vulnerable.

SOURCE: Politico