Computer Security Day

Sadly there is only one Computer Security Day each year as I know many people seem to never learn anything about Computer Security. Cyber security affects everything from where we bank and how we spend our money to who we elect to public office. It isn’t a joke, the worst email virus in history caused $38.5 billion in damage.

In April 2015, IT staff for the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the agency that manages the government’s civilian workforce, discovered that some of its personnel files had been hacked.

One of the vital records that they maintain, is the SF-86 form, which is an extremely sensitive form containing records used for security clearances. These forms have all the details about the employee, their family, their relatives, and historical residential records. They also contain records of any criminal involvement and, drug use (either prescription or not). A Chinese-based hacking group was able to steal over 4 million records.

In the end, a Federal judge awarded those in the class action lawsuit $63 million (before the lawyers get their share) to be split among those who are participating.