The latest cyber breach which compromised data belonging to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is estimated to have affected nearly 18 million federal employees, around four times the previous figure acknowledged by the government agency.
According to reports, the personal data of current, prospective and ex federal employees has been compromised by the data breach. Previously, the number of people affected appeared to be 4 million. Investigators expect the numbers to increase.
"Obviously they started at 4 million," said Michael McCaul, House Homeland Security Chairman as he was leaving a briefing pertaining to the hacking with. "That number is increasing."
For the unfamiliar, as Tech Times reported earlier in June, the data breach on the OPM compromised the personally identifiable information (PII) of federal employees. The U.S. investigators opine that the intrusion - considered to be the worst ever for the administration - was masterminded by the Chinese government.
Initially it was believed that the PII of 4.2 million federal employees, which included their Social Security number, was compromised. However, investigations revealed that a second hacking where security clearance data pertaining to intelligence and military personnel was also compromised.
Now per a CNN report, James Comey, FBI Director, at a closed-door meeting estimated the 18 million figure to senators. Comey has allegedly based his forecast on the OPM data.
The OPM has not revised the publicly acknowledged estimate of 4.2 million federal employees who were affected by the cyber breach.
Those affected could include people who applied for government jobs, but never actually ended up working for the government. The lack of pertinent information and transparency from the administration is upsetting lawmakers who are accusing them of concealing information.
The revelations have also put Katherine Archuleta, OPM's Director, under fire as she readies to testify in front of three Congress committees during this week.
The ongoing revelations have also hurt OPM Director Katherine Archuleta, who is on the hot seat as she is slated to testify three times before Congress this week.
Photo: Ivan David Gomez Arce | Flickr
