1. What measures has the FBI taken to protect its network from future incidents?
FBI Confirms Investigation of Cyber Attack on Own Network
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently confirmed that they are investigating a cyber incident that targeted its own network. This news follows reports of recent cyberattacks that have risen in numbers this year.
High Level Breach
The cyber attack targeted the FBI’s operational systems, classified as a high-level breach. The FBI made sure to clarify that the victim systems were not connected to the public-facing systems. In the statement the FBI said it is “working with our federal & private sector partners to understand the implications of the incident.”
Similar Security Breaches
This is not the first time the FBI’s systems have been breached. Previous security breaches in the federal government have included the U.S Office of Personnel Management and IRS.
Increase in Cyber Attacks
There has been an across the board increase of cyberattacks this year as adversaries take advantage of ongoing disruptions and shifting to remote operations. The FBI is sending out an alarm that organizations should be aware of the risk.
Security Measures
Organizations should look to review and build-out their security framework. For example, businesses can:
- Implement system monitoring – such as network devices, web application and SSO integrations.
- Strengthen patching strategies – ensure security advisories and antivirus updates are consistently performed.
- Employ multi-factor authentication – Multiple layers of security is the best form of protection.
- Install regular backups – Copy valuable data to an external hard drive or cloud accounting.
- Assess network penetration testing– Regularly test the security systems of your organization with a third-party audit.
The FBI’s incident reveals that no systems are immune to attack, especially during times of great change. By studying this incident and the past ones, we can learn how to better protect ourselves and avoid future risks.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that it is investigating a “cyber incident” on its own network.
Special Agent Stephen D. Fischer Jr., a Bureau spokesman, said that the agency is “investigating a cyber incident related to our internal systems” and is relying on the FBI’s “robust cyber program and multiple layers of security” to address any potential issues. He added that the FBI “takes all threats seriously” and is working to determine the nature and scope of the incident.
The exact nature of the cyber incident is unclear at this point, but the FBI said that the incident was related to its own internal infrastructure and not the infrastructure of the broader US government or any other companies or organizations.
The FBI has not released any further details on the incident, but did release a statement noting that it is “working around the clock” to investigate the incident. It also noted that while there may have been some disruption to services, the agency remains “fully operational”.
The FBI is reportedly working with both state and local law enforcement agencies as well as the US Department of Homeland Security in its investigation of the incident. As is standard with most cyber incidents, the FBI is likely to keep the details of its investigation confidential.
No matter the cause or outcome of the cyber incident, the FBI’s confirmation serves as a reminder of the potential security risks inherent in a highly connected society, and the need for organizations to take all necessary steps to protect their networks from unauthorized access.