After cyber-hack, US fears for spies' security

Testifying before the US House of Representatives panel on Thursday, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said he was deeply worried that the breach of security clearance information from the Office of Personnel Management could be used to expose or blackmail intelligence operatives.

The violation poses a "significant counterintelligence threat," Clapper said, adding, however, that so far there had been no signs of any "nefarious" use of the data.

Personal data belonging to some 22 million current and former US government employees, relatives, job applicants and contractors was stolen in June's cyber hack. Officials believe the attack originated in China. Action is yet to be taken in response to the hack, however.

Call for stronger deterrent

Clapper also warned on Thursday that cyber-hacking would not only continue but would become increasingly damaging in coming years, partly due to the minimal consequences facing hackers.

"Until such time as we do create both the substance and the mindset of deterrence, this sort of thing is going to continue," Clapper said.

The committee also named Russia, China, North Korea and Iran as the top cyber threats to the US on Thursday.

"Foreign intelligence services are increasingly gaining access to critical US infrastructure that would allow them to inflict damage," Clapper warned.

ksb/kms (Reuters, AFP)