US Investigations Services, created when OPM privatized its background investigations function, has saidits corporate network was hacked recently.An internal investigation reportedly implicates a state-sponsored actor, perhaps one interested in learning the identities of individuals seeking security clearances with the US government.
“Our systems and people identified this attack, and, in response, we are working alongside OPM, [DHS], and federal law enforcement authorities in redoubling our cyber security efforts,” the company said in a statement.
USIS said it was working collaboratively with OPM and DHS to resolve the matter and resume carrying out its contracts, and that it could not release additional information. However, DHS has suspended contracts with USIS and told employees in an email to monitor their finances.
The Department of Justice began investigating USIS earlier this year for allegedly rubber-stamping background investigations in order to get paid faster. A recent $160 million contract award with US Citizenship and Immigration Services for field support operations has also drawn scrutiny from Congress in the context of the investigation and appears in jeopardy.
