Heather Curtis
WMAL

WASHINGTON – Data breaches of large companies are becoming all too common with the latest victims being 4 million current and former federal employees with the Office of Personnel Management. This is the second major break into government databases this week.

“If the federal government can’t protect themselves, who can?” Director of the Cyber Security Institute Derek Smith told WMAL.

During his 18-years as a federal agent, Smith said the work was always reactive. The same is true with cybersecurity work today. While hackers have unlimited time to try to get into databases with people’s personal information, he and other cybersecurity experts have to focus on compliance and regulations in addition to thwarting the enemy.

He said ultimately people need to look out for themselves by keeping a close watch on financial accounts and credit reports. He also recommends identity theft victims change their passwords if possible.

Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly doesn’t think the onus of keeping personal information secure should fall on individuals. “Our answer can’t be to throw up our hands and say ‘well, you’re on your own,'” he said.

Connolly believes the federal government has an obligation to invest in the necessary resources to deter and prevent cyber attacks, adding it’s troubling that the federal government hasn’t been able to protect its data bases or national security interests.

He said the public and private sector need to work together with America’s best technological experts to protect people against hackers.

Those affected by the latest breach will get an email Monday telling them how they should proceed. It’s unclear if the government will take steps above and beyond what’s already in place to prevent hacking.

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