Hackers backed by the Russian Government have been Monitoring Internal Email Traffic at the U.S. Treasury Department and an Agency that decides Internet and Telecommunications Policy (NTTA).
The Hack involves the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Office Software, Microsoft's Office 365. Staff Emails at the Agency were Monitored by the Hackers for Months.
National Security Council Spokesman, John Ullyot said:
The United States government is aware of these reports and we are taking all necessary steps to identify and remedy any possible issues related to this situation.
The Hack was carried out by a Group known as APT29 or Cozy Bear and working for SVR, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service.
There is concern within the U.S. Intelligence Community that the Hackers who Targeted the Treasury Department and the NTIA used a similar Tool to Break into other Government Agencies.
The Hackers are Highly Sophisticated and have been able to Trick the Microsoft Platform's Authentication Controls.
The Full Scope of the Hack is Unclear. The Investigation is still in its Early Stages and involves a Range of Federal Agencies. The FBI, Homeland Security Department's Cybersecurity Division, known as CISA, and U.S. National Security Agency are part of the Investigation.
The Breach presents a Major Challenge to the Incoming Administration of President-Elect Joe Biden as Officials Investigate what Information was Stolen and try to ascertain what it will be used for. It is not uncommon for lLrge Scale Cyber Investigations to take Months or Years to complete.
There is some indication that the Email compromised at NTIA dates back to this Summer, although it was only recently Discovered.
NTIA was among a Group of Agencies involved in the Trump Administration’s effort to Ban Chinese Social Media Apps Tiktok and WeChat. The Trump Administration has said such Apps pose a National Security Threat. The affected Chinese Companies deny the Claim.
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