Millions of Americans are on the verge of losing their important data. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned of a potential data breach in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) systems.
If USCIS’s systems get breached, Americans will lose their biometric verification data, which will allow hackers to access almost all the facilities which use biometric details for login purposes.
Rising Cyberattacks Against Americans
According to DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, USCIS is one of the top targets of cybercriminals, as its current infrastructure is unable to counter a major cyberattack.
Cuffari argued that USCIS did not take any appropriate measures to safeguard Americans’ data from cyberattacks, since most of its IT systems are still outdated and easy to breach.
These weak systems are tempting cyber criminals to attack the data servers of USCIS, which will be dangerous for Americans’ interests in the world, Cuffari added.
Likewise, Cuffari insisted existing deficiencies in USCIS systems are giving American enemies more opportunities to steal US citizens’ data using technology. Therefore, the agency must take immediate measures to stop potential data breaches against its systems.
As USCIS gathers important information, including biometric verification and identity-related data, any breach in its systems will expose millions of Americans to unprecedented dangers.
If hackers manage to get the biometric data of Americans, millions of bank accounts will also be vulnerable to hacking.
One of the primary reasons for the renewed cyber threats against USCIS is the agency’s over-reliance on digitalization, which is providing a favorable playing field to hackers.
As USCIS is trying to digitalize most of its systems, Cuffari continued, hackers believe they can get their hands on the important data before the USCIS manages to strengthen its cybersecurity.
Hackers infiltrate second-largest US school district in growing trend#Cyber #CyberAttack #K12 #SLED #Education #USA #CyberWar #Hacker https://t.co/TZ3rsqzMGu
— Conor Coughlan (@Capital_FinServ) September 7, 2022
Biden Administration Giving Free Hand to Russia on Cyberattacks
Political insiders believe the soft stance of the Biden administration towards Russia is increasing cyberattacks against Americans.
Russian-based hackers mostly change the codes of American systems, which allows them to steal the identity data of Americans. Government agencies keep on working normally without realizing hackers have snuck faulty code into the original systems.
Previously, Russian hackers embedded malicious code in SolarWinds systems, which allegedly helped Russian hackers to steal the information of millions of Americans.
SolarWinds is a popular software company that monitors the IT systems of many government agencies and private businesses.
Six months after the SolarWinds attack — one of the largest cyberattacks in history — the White House says it will set up formal cyber investigations, require companies to report breaches, and set software development standards.https://t.co/suvOGka6r1
— NPR (@NPR) April 29, 2021
Reportedly, hackers got remote access to Americans’ data until the US government smelled a rat before imposing cyber sanctions on Russia in the SolarWinds scandal.
Since the SolarWinds saga, the Biden administration has been constantly warning about more cyberattacks against the United States, particularly against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this year, DHS stated all American government agencies could face cyberattacks, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
