Federal Aviation Administration employees breached
Hackers accessed the computer system of the Federal Aviation Administration last week and accessed a server that contained the personal information of past and present employees.How many victims? 45,000 employees and retirees.
What type of personal information? Names and Social Security numbers, and another file contained encrypted medical information.
What was the response? The theft was reported to law enforcement authorities who are investigating. Affected employees will receive notification letters. The agency is providing a toll-free number for employees who believe they may be affected.
Details: The breached server was not connected to the operation of the air traffic control system and there is no indication those systems have been compromised, the statement said.
Quote: "These government systems should be the best in the world and apparently they are able to be compromised," said Tom Waters, an FAA contracts attorney. "Our information technology systems people need to take a long hard look at themselves and their capabilities. This is malpractice in their world."
Source: www.ap.org/, The Associated Press, “FAA says Hackers broke into agency computers,” Jan. 29, 2009.
