The US Department of Defense has confirmed that Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) computer systems were targeted by a cyber attack.
The cyber attack on DISA, the agency in charge of secure communication for the White House, left the personal data of around 200,000 people exposed. DISA oversees military communications including calls for US President Donald Trump.
The hackers exposed the data of thousands of people, including names and social security numbers. The agency is in charge of military cybersecurity and sets up communications networks in combat zones.
On its website, DISA states that its vision is "to be the trusted provider to connect and protect the war fighter in cyber-space."
While there are only 8,000 military and civilian employees at the agency, it handles data for many other individuals.
While the Department of Defense did not mention whether it has determined the perpetrators of the hacking, it stated that the department was constantly under threat.
A spokesperson said: "DoD networks are under attack daily and the department maintains an active posture to thwart those attacks." The agency said it has notified all affected individuals and explained that there was "no evidence" their information has been misused.
The data breach happened over the summer of 2019 and possible victims began receiving letters this month. According to DISA, it immediately investigated and took steps to fix the breach once it was discovered, as well as took measures to prevent further hacks.
DISA's policies require the agency to notify people whose data may have been compromised. Andy Piazza, a US veteran and cyber threat analyst, posted the DISA letter he received on Twitter.
Piazza said that while he was not particularly concerned about the information that may have been compromised, he felt there had been an increase in the number letters he was receiving from public and private firms about data breaches.
