In an attempt to check the further security breach of its confidential data, the US State Department has reportedly closed down its entire unclassified email system following a suspected hacker attack.
Reports suggested that the department is currently evaluating the potential damages caused by the possible cyber attack.
The latest incident adds on to the string of cyber attacks on federal agencies that has taken heavy toll on the security aspect.
According to a top State Department official, they had recently detected “activity of concern” in the department’s unclassified email system and hence had expedited the whole damage evaluation process.
The official also clarified that no such hacker attack has been found in the classified email system and all data are safe.
According to the Associated Press report, the cyber attack incident has occurred around the same period as a similar incident took place to target the highly confidential computer network of White House. The White House incident came into light in late October. At that time there was no indication that the State Department network had also been affected.
So far, a number of government agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service, and the US Postal Service, have reported similar cyber attacks.
The department official has also said that they had shutdown the worldwide email system on Friday in order to make security improvements to the department’s main unclassified computer network.
The sources said that the State Department would address the shutdown once the work on tightening the security arrangements is completed. It is expected to make the brief on the whole episode on Monday or Tuesday.
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