There's been a second hacking of federal personnel records about which nobody is talking. This one gets into the sensitive background information submitted by intelligence and military personnel for security clearances. When you apply for such a clearance, you get right down to the nitty gritty about traffic tickets, mental exams, indebtedness... you name it. Forms also require the listing of contacts and relatives, potentially exposing any foreign relatives of U.S. intelligence employees to coercion. Both the applicant's Social Security number and that of his or her cohabitant is required.
And now the hackers have that information on every current and former federal employee and military member going back at least ten years, maybe back to 1980. Officials said they believe the hack into the security clearance database was separate from the breach of federal personnel data announced last week, a breach that is itself appearing far worse than first believed. This puts the enemy in perfect position to blackmail or otherwise coerce federal employees and military personnel into becoming spies.
So, big deal, you propose; I've never been in the military and never worked for the government. When I fill out the paperwork for a security clearance and list you as a relative or personal reference, it is standard protocol for the investigators to check you out to see if you have a criminal background, nefarious connections or if you are a member of the Communist Party. In other words,, your information could be in the files that were hacked.
How does it feel to be butt-naked on Main Street? How does it feel to know that your government that you pay taxes to support has allowed this to happen and, furthermore, that it does not seem to be at all concerned about it?
That's MY AMERICAN OPINION, respectfully submitted.
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