ZIP Advertisement We ask Pitt & CMU experts: How bad is the suspected Russian hack of US government computer systems? Share Updated: 6:32 PM EST Dec 18, 2020 Share Updated: 6:32 PM EST Dec 18, 2020 Hide Transcript Show Transcript CYBERATTACK COULD MEAN FOR OUR COUNTRY. >> EACH DAY BRING NEW WARNINGS ABOUT AMERICA’S MASSIVE CYBER SECURITY BREACH, WITH RUSSIA AS THE SUSPECT. WE SPOKE WITH MICHAEL POZNANSKY, AFFILIATED WITH PITT’S CYBER INSTITUTE, AND AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND INTELLIGENCE STUDIES. >> WE ARE JUST IN THE DISCOVERY PHASE, AND THE FIRST KIND OF ALARM BELLS ABOUT WE HAVE A FOREIGN, MALICIOUS ACTOR, IN OUR SYSTEM. BOB: THE INTRUSION IS BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED MONTHS AGO, WITH A HACKED SOFTWARE UPDATE PLANTING THE INVASION INSI GOVERNMENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INCLUDING HOMELAND SECURITY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE U.S. TREASURY, THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT, THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT, AND AN AGENCY THAT MANAGES AMERICA’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS STOCKPILE. >> IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED, PERHAPS UNLIKE ANYTHING WE HAVE SEEN IN THE RECENT PAST. AND ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT IT WAS THE HANDIWORK OF THE RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE. BOB: AN AGENCY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS, THE HACK IS A GRAVE RISK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AGENCIES, AS WELL AS PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS. >> IF A FEDERAL AGENCY O DEPARTMENT WAS AFFECTED, IT COULD HAVE INMPLICATIONS FO