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Submitted by: Bill Hickey
NCVA List Master
NRT-0210 DHS Acknowledges Computer Break-Ins:
DHS, the lead agency for fighting cyber threats, has experienced more than 800 break-ins by hackers, virus infections, and other security breaches over the past two years - senior officials acknowledged to congress.
Tools for stealing passwords and other files have been found on two internal systems. Computer workstations at the Coast Guard and Transportation Security Administration were found to be infected with malware trying to contact outsiders. Laptops have been discovered as "missing," and the agency has had web site break-ins.
While the administration is working to prevent future such problems, it is obvious that there is much work to do. These incidents occurred during fiscal years 2005 and 2006, at various sites including the DHS headquarters.
All problems involved unclassified computer networks, although there has been an acknowledgement by DHS that there have been "dozens" of incidents which are commonly called "classified spillage" where classified or sensitive information is improperly transmitted or discussed over unsecure systems.
(extracted from an AP report 6/20/07)