The Energy Department and National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, were victims of hack.
Hackers accessed their networks as part of an extensive espionage operation that has affected at least half a dozen federal agencies.
The hackers have been able to do more damage at FERC than the other agencies, and officials there have evidence of highly malicious activity.
The malware has been isolated to business networks only, and has not impacted the mission essential national security functions of the department, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.
The hackers were able to access the networks belonging to a core part of the U.S. national security enterprise.
The hackers had gained access to the federal agencies’ networks by compromising the software company SolarWinds, which sells IT management products to hundreds of government and private-sector clients.
The cybersecurity experts have said the activity bears the hallmarks of Russia’s intelligence services.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/17/nuclear-agency-hacked-officials-inform-congress-447855
"id": "USD1946141122",
"linkid": "u-s--department-of-energy",
"type": "Cyber Attack",
"date": "12/2020",
"severity": "60",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization’s existence"