Recent Data Thefts Target State Department Among Others

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July 18, 2006 9:16 AM

The recent hack into the U.S. State Department's computer systems is just the latest incident in a string of government security breaches.

In the most recent attack, which originated in the East-Asia Pacific region, the hackers gained access to data and passwords which may leave the State Department open to future attacks.

But the State Department is not alone. The recent hacking follows a wave of data thefts and security breaches at the federal level.   

The government's data security troubles began in May when the Department of Veterans Affairs reported the theft of a laptop containing the Social Security numbers of 26.5 million veterans. That laptop was eventually recovered, and authorities do not believe the information was compromised.

Since then, laptop thefts have also plagued the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission.   

The Department of Agriculture reported in June that a hacker broke into the Department's IT system and may have accessed the personal information of 26,000 current and former employees putting them at risk of identity theft.   

And the list goes on.

Just last week, more than 100,000 social security numbers of naval and Marine Corps personnel were exposed on the Naval Safety Center's website.

Paul Kurtz, executive director of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), said the recent incidents demonstrate that information security needs to be made a higher priority within the federal government.

"Congress needs to pass a law that protects sensitive personal information no matter where it sits -- whether inside the government, the private sector or non-profit organization," said Kurtz.