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Pentagon hacked, 24,000 files stolen by 'foreign intruders' in cyber attack
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A Department of Defense official acknowledged that 'foreign intruders' hacked into the Pentagon's computer system and made off with a trove of files.
Foreign hackers broke into the Pentagon computer system this spring and stole 24,000 files - one of the biggest cyber-attacks ever on the U.S. military, according to a Department of Defense official.
William Lynn, the deputy secretary of defense, acknowledged the brazen theft during a speech on Thursday while detailing a plan to strengthen the country's cyber-security.
Lynn would not disclose what kind of files were stolen or what country was behind the attack, which took place sometime in March.
But he did say the confidential documents were swiped from a defense industry computer network in a single intrusion.
Several cyber-attacks have previously been blamed on China or Russia. American officials fear that a terrorist group - and not a foreign government - will eventually acquire the tools to break into U.S. computer networks.
"If a terrorist group gains disruptive or destructive cyber-tools, we have to assume they will strike with little hesitation," Lynn said during his speech at the National Defense University.
Lynn said the Defense Department's new strategy involves developing stronger computer networks so officials can continue to operate even if critical systems are taken down.
"Our strategy's overriding emphasis is on denying the benefit of an attack," Lynn said, according to the Washington Post.
"Rather than rely on the threat of retaliation alone to deter attacks in cyberspace, we aim to change our adversaries' incentives in a more fundamental way. If an attack will not have its intended effect, those who wish us harm will have less reason to target us through cyberspace in the first place."
Getty
A Department of Defense official acknowledged that 'foreign intruders' hacked into the Pentagon's computer system and made off with a trove of files.
Foreign hackers broke into the Pentagon computer system this spring and stole 24,000 files - one of the biggest cyber-attacks ever on the U.S. military, according to a Department of Defense official.
William Lynn, the deputy secretary of defense, acknowledged the brazen theft during a speech on Thursday while detailing a plan to strengthen the country's cyber-security.
Lynn would not disclose what kind of files were stolen or what country was behind the attack, which took place sometime in March.
But he did say the confidential documents were swiped from a defense industry computer network in a single intrusion.
Several cyber-attacks have previously been blamed on China or Russia. American officials fear that a terrorist group - and not a foreign government - will eventually acquire the tools to break into U.S. computer networks.
"If a terrorist group gains disruptive or destructive cyber-tools, we have to assume they will strike with little hesitation," Lynn said during his speech at the National Defense University.
Lynn said the Defense Department's new strategy involves developing stronger computer networks so officials can continue to operate even if critical systems are taken down.
"Our strategy's overriding emphasis is on denying the benefit of an attack," Lynn said, according to the Washington Post.
"Rather than rely on the threat of retaliation alone to deter attacks in cyberspace, we aim to change our adversaries' incentives in a more fundamental way. If an attack will not have its intended effect, those who wish us harm will have less reason to target us through cyberspace in the first place."
Why did they spot at 24,000 files??