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OPM Seeks to Streamline Info on Data Breaches Through Website Update; Beth Cobert Comments

2 mins read


Beth Cobert
Beth Cobert

The Office of Personnel Management has updated its website in an effort to streamline information on the two data breaches in 2015 that compromised data of at least 21 million former and current federal employees, Federal News Radio reported Monday.

Meredith Somers writes Beth Cobert, acting OPM director, told federal employees affected by the cyber breaches to assess the website’s frequently asked questions section.

The website’s FAQ section contains six categories that detail information on the cyber attack on OPM’s background check systems, notification and identify protection assistance OPM offers to victims of data intrusions, and cybersecurity measures that the agency launched in response to the incidents.

“The updated site includes new information as well as information we’re providing as a result of questions and feedback we have received from those who have visited the site,” Cobert said in a letter to federal employees.

She noted in the letter that OPM has completed the release of notification letters to cyber attack victims and has begun to resend letters to those who failed to receive the initial notifications due to changed or incorrect addresses, according to the report.

OPM has started efforts to extend identify protection and credit monitoring services to up to 10 years and has raised the identity theft insurance coverage from $1 million to $5 million in compliance with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, said Cobert, an inductee into Executive Mosaic’s Wash100 for 2016.

“This increase was put into effect on June 1, and impacted individuals do not have to do anything to be covered by this increase,” she added.