http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1C98D3C5-991E-49EC-AC88-16BF04C594D6&ContentType_id=E0C7B822-826F-493D-8CEF-1E21AA53E12A&Group_id=12580721-af41-4987-849c-c25b730d096d&MonthDisplay=7&YearDisplay=2015

Statement

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, had the following to say about the recent data breach at the Office of Personnel Management:

"The breadth of the data breach at the Office of Personnel Management is staggering and unacceptable. It reinforces concerns I have had for some time, not just about cyber-vulnerability, but also with the security clearance process. The Armed Services Committee is charged with overseeing the military and civilian workforce at the Department of Defense. We also have an obligation to ensure that those who serve the Department, in or out of uniform, are able to do so securely.

"This breach is about more than violating the trust and security of DOD personnel. China hacked into a government system and as a result put men and women who serve their country in jeopardy. That makes this breach a critical force protection and counter intelligence issue. I am far from convinced that steps taken so far by OPM to mitigate the impact to civilian employees and their families are sufficient, nor am I confident the steps taken to protect information, employees, and their families in the future are adequate. As the administration looks for OPM's next leader I hope they think long and hard about the job ahead and the experience required.

"This fall, when the work on the FY16 NDAA has concluded, Armed Services Committee Members will examine OPM and DOD responses to this cyber attack, as well as what the Administration is doing to keep federal employee's personal information secure, and to consider larger questions of cyber defense and the security clearance process. From extensive backlogs to colossal breaches, the time to debate and reform OPM's role in the security clearance process has come. That is a debate we look forward to in the coming weeks and months."

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