NSA chief: OPM hack won’t be ‘one-off’

The head of the government’s spy agency expects to see more attacks like the recent massive hack at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

That data breach laid bare over 22 million people’s most sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, detailed personal histories and, in some cases, fingerprints. It’s thought to be the biggest-ever data theft from the U.S. government.

{mosads}But maybe not for long, said National Security Agency (NSA) Director Adm. Mike Rogers.

“I don’t expect this to be a one-off,” said Rogers, speaking at the London Stock Exchange, The Wall Street Journal reported.

“We are in a world now where, despite your best efforts, you must prepare and assume that you will be penetrated,” added Rogers, who also oversees U.S. Cyber Command. “It is not about if you will be penetrated, but when.”

That means the government needs a clear response plan, Rogers said.

The OPM hacks have revealed a government-wide sluggish approach to cybersecurity. Agencies have not responded aggressively to years of inspector general reports pointing out glaring vulnerabilities in federal networks.

The government is also struggling to determine how it will retaliate against the digital intruders. It’s suspected the Chinese government ordered the hit.

“As we are working through the aftermath of OPM,” Rogers said officials must contemplate “what is the right vision for the way forward in how we are going to deal with things like this.”