Pentagon breach exposes 2.8 million personnel records amid FBI hack claim
A breach of a Pentagon network exposed personnel records belonging to 2.8 million living people, including current and former military members. Combined with a recent claimed hack of FBI employee records, the incidents raise concerns about the use of sensitive government data for espionage or criminal purposes.
The Pentagon says hackers accessed a Defense Manpower Data Center system starting last October. Stolen details included Social Security numbers, names, addresses, sex, race and occupational specialty; the centre holds more than 60 million personnel records. Last month, the ShinyHunters ransomware group claimed it stole records of thousands of current and former FBI employees, including people whose roles involved China or Russia investigations. Officials have not explained how the Pentagon network was breached or how they concluded the data had not been misused.
- Pentagon breach exposed records of 2.8 million people.
- Stolen details included Social Security numbers and military specialties.
- A separate claimed FBI breach adds to espionage concerns.
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The Pentagon maintains a large database of personnel records covering millions of military staff members and veterans. The Defense Manpower Data Center was breached from October last year, compromising the details of 2.8 million people including Social Security numbers, addresses and ethnic background. The database contains records on over 60 million service personnel in total.
Personal information from government employees, particularly those in defence and intelligence, is a prime target for espionage operations and criminal organisations. Such data can be used to identify officers, facilitate blackmail, or enable identity fraud and theft. Officials have confirmed that the breach occurred but have not yet explained how hackers accessed the system or whether the information has been misused.
The ShinyHunters ransomware group has also claimed responsibility for stealing thousands of FBI employee records. The group says it obtained files on FBI staff including investigators who examined cases involving China and Russia, raising concerns that foreign governments may seek to identify and compromise United States intelligence personnel.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “Hacks of 2 federal agencies in a month have spilled a bonanza of sensitive data”.