WP: Hackers breach email systems of US federal budgeting agency

The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the federal agency responsible for providing budgetary analysis to Congress, has been hit by a cyberattack carried out by an unidentified group.

The CBO confirmed that its systems had been compromised, potentially exposing confidential financial data and internal congressional communications, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Washington Post (WP).

The relatively small agency, employing around 275 people, offers objective and nonpartisan analyses to assist lawmakers throughout the budget process. It is also tasked with producing cost estimates for nearly every bill approved by the House or Senate.

According to WP, which quoted CBO spokesperson Emma Caitlin, the “security incident” was detected at an early stage, and the office “immediately took steps to contain it.”

In addition, “enhanced monitoring” has been implemented, along with new security measures “to further protect the systems.”

Sources told WP that hackers may have gained access to the CBO’s internal email system as well as archives of staff chat messages. Other congressional offices have temporarily suspended electronic communications with the agency following the breach.

Although official confirmation has not been provided, WP reported that the attack was believed to have been carried out by a suspected foreign actor, citing four unnamed individuals familiar with the matter.

By Nazrin Sadigova