Tech

Officials say hackers may have security clearance info for military personnel

Report from ‘several’ U.S. officials.

Photo of Patrick Howell O'Neill

Patrick Howell O'Neill

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Just days after learning about a major breach by hackers into U.S. federal networks, a new hack into American government systems has come to light and it may be even more serious than the first.

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Hackers who infiltrated federal systems for more than a year may have accessed security clearance information for personnel from the military and intelligence agencies, according to the Associated Press—basing the report from “several U.S. officials” who declined to be named.

The hackers are believed to have accessed Standard Form 86 in which applicants fill out an enormous array of personal information including “mental illnesses, drug and alcohol use, past arrests, and bankruptcies,” reports the AP. A list of contacts and relatives is also required.

The hack comes as congress is pushing for a new defense bill that will spend $5.4 billion on cyberwar capabilities for the Department of Defense.

H/T Associated Press | Illustration by Max Fleishman

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