Government Workers Voice Concerns Over Massive Data Breach
WASHINGTON (WJZ)-- New fallout from the massive data breach that impacts hundreds of thousands of federal government employees.
There are growing concerns about a lack of cybersecurity to protect sensitive information.
Mike Hellgren has more.
The government has been hit with the biggest cyber-attack ever possible across all government agencies. Cyber-spys have breached critical computer networks, stealing personal data from millions of current and former federal workers.
Hellgren: "What were your thoughts when you heard about the data breach?"
"I wasn't surprised. You hear about them everyday," said Barbara Kreft.
The government has come under fire for being so vulnerable. It's highest-level security software, called Einstein 3.
"They probably just need to re-think how they go about protecting everyone's privacy," said Carl Sisco.
"More time, money, resources and effort have been put against this problem than at any other time in history. So it's not for lack of effort, but we haven't made enough progress," said Former Homeland Security Adviser Fran Townsend.
This hits Maryland hard. Almost one 1 every 10 workers in the state is a federal government employee.
Some 300,000 current workers alone--with several big agencies including the NSA, Social Security, and the NIH based in Maryland.
Carolyn Jeter's husband is a federal employee and she's been watching their credit card accounts.
"A lot of our important information gets out and we don't know whose hands it's in, so it's a very concerning situation," said Caroyln Jeter.
While the attack is believed to come from China, the Chinese government calls that a "groundless accusation" and the White House won't publicly confirm it.
"There is risk associated with making public what exactly our investigators have learned. And the reason for that is that we're dealing with a persistent adversary," said Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary.
