Army investigates breaches

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By Dawn S. Onley
 

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By Dawn S. Onley

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The Army is investigating how a San Diego company was able to break into dozens of military computers while conducting routine business.

The Army is investigating how a San Diego company was able to break into dozens of military computers while conducting routine business.

While working for a client, ForensicTec Solutions Inc. in June breached systems containing sensitive data, company president Brett O'Keeffe said. He said he notified the military, adding, "They need resources and funds. This needs to be a top priority."

Military officials agreed. "We take all intrusions into DOD systems and networks seriously and are systematically beefing up our information systems security policies and procedures to achieve defense in depth," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ken McClellan, a Pentagon spokesman.

McClellan added that the Army is conducting a servicewide survey of its network defense. There also is an investigation under way at Fort Hood, Texas, but it is too early to say if anyone will be disciplined, Army officials said.

O'Keeffe said company employees gained access to computers at the Texas base that held records explaining radio encryption techniques and personnel files listing Social Security numbers, security clearances and credit card numbers. Employees also roamed a NASA system's vendor records, which included company banking information.

"All we did was expose a vulnerability that others could exploit," he said. "We didn't create a vulnerability, we just showed it."

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