OPM Defends Cybersecurity Chief In Charge During Multiple Breaches

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman, Jason Chaffetz was joined by 17 other lawmakers in a letter calling for the removal of not just Seymour, but also the former director of the OPM, Katherine Archuleta.

A House committee chairman repeated his demand for the removal of the Office of Personnel Management’s cybersecurity chief Thursday, but agency officials argued that’s not needed because they’re “working incredibly hard.”

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz reiterated his call to terminate OPM Chief Information Officer Donna Seymour for failing to prevent a digital breach that exposed more than 22 million current, retired and former federal employees’ private information and for hindering the inspector general’s work.

The OPM breach first became public June 5, but subsequent revelations made clear the system had been repeatedly compromised for many months before it was discovered.

The Daily Caller News Foundation previously reported that OPM repeatedly ignored Inspector General Patrick McFarland’s recommendations to strengthen its cybersecurity, that the agency relied on antiquated digital software, and an earlier, similar government breach should have acted as a warning sign.

Chaffetz and 17 other lawmakers called on President Obama to fire Seymour in a June 26 letter. The letter also called for then-OPM Director Katherine Archuleta’s termination, who resigned on July 10.

There’s yet to be any word on this matter from the OPM or White House. This happened after an earlier breach and repeated recommendations by Inspector General Patrick McFarland that they update their system and antiquated software.

For more information, read the article at The Daily Caller

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