ABC News reports Russian hackers allegedly broke into a National Security Agency contractor's home computer in 2015 and stole highly classified information about how the agency accesses foreign networks and defends itself.
The hackers used antivirus software made by Kaspersky Lab, a Russian company, but Kaspersky says it's innocent, claiming the company "has not been provided any information or evidence substantiating this alleged incident."
On September 13, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security banned the use of Kaspersky software on all government computers, issuing a statement at the time that read, in part:
Kaspersky anti-virus products and solutions provide broad access to files and elevated privileges on the computers on which the software is installed, which can be exploited by malicious cyber actors to compromise those information systems. The Department is concerned about the ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence and other government agencies, and requirements under Russian law that allow Russian intelligence agencies to request or compel assistance from Kaspersky and to intercept communications transiting Russian networks. The risk that the Russian government, whether acting on its own or in collaboration with Kaspersky, could capitalize on access provided by Kaspersky products to compromise federal information and information systems directly implicates U.S. national security.
Sources tell ABC News the still-unidentified contractor is cooperating with federal investigators.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) sent a letter to Armed Services Committee leadership Thursday asking for hearings on the NSA hack:
"I urge you to expeditiously schedule a hearing to receive testimony from administration officials, including NSA Director Admiral Michael Rogers, about the nature of this security breach and what the federal government is doing to prevent future incidents."
Eugene Kaspersky, the head of Kaspersky Lab, was scheduled to testify before the House Science Committee about Kaspersky software last week, but that hearing was postponed.
Russian hackers allegedly used popular antivirus software to steal NSA secrets (ABC News)
Democrat calls for Senate hearings on alleged NSA hack (The Hill)