Cyber attack on DISA results in data breach that may have affected as many as 200,000 computer system users

FORT MEADE, Md. – A cyber attack on a computer system hosted by the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) at Fort Mead, Md. -- the Department of Defense (DOD) primary IT support agency -- affected approximately 200,000 users after a malicious actor may have gained access to names and Social Security numbers. Fifth Domain reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

27 Feb. 2020 -- Chuck Prichard, a DOD spokesman, said there is “no evidence to suggest that any of the potentially compromised [personally identifiable information] was misused.” DISA is sending letters notifying potentially affected users, in line with agency policy.

He added that affected individuals at DISA “will subsequently receive additional correspondence with information about actions that can be taken to mitigate possible negative impacts.”

Prichard said the data breach was discovered during summer 2019. According to Reuters, which viewed a copy of the letter sent out to DISA officials, the breach occurred between May and July 2019. Affected users also will receive free credit monitoring, Prichard said.

Related: U.S. Navy under cyber attack from Chinese hackers and hemorrhaging national security secrets

Related: Military cyber security: threats and solutions

Related: Five U.S. defense contractors rank among the world's top 25 cyber security companies

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics