ATF declares ‘major incident’ as ransomware gang claims hack
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has declared a 'major incident' following a cyberattack on a standalone system. The Qilin ransomware gang has claimed responsibility for the breach, which reportedly exposed sensitive information regarding investigation targets.
Why it matters
A breach of federal law enforcement systems poses significant risks to national security and the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, says a cyberattack on one of its systems has been declared a “major incident,” a formal, legally defined classification that prompts a formal notification to lawmakers in Congress.
ATF said in a statement that it’s responding to the cyberattack on a standalone system that’s separate from the bureau’s network. An ATF spokesperson told reporters that the targeted computer system contained information such as the “targets of ATF investigations.”
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