Reuters quoted informed sources as saying that US government agencies were subjected to electronic piracy by professional hackers backed by a foreign government.
Reuters, citing its sources, said that a sophisticated piracy group backed by a foreign government had stolen information from the Treasury Department and a US agency responsible for determining policy on the Internet and communications.
National Security Council spokesman John Oliot said that the United States government is aware of these reports, and we are taking all necessary steps to identify and address any potential issues related to this situation.
The agency stated that there is concern within the US intelligence community that hackers who targeted the Treasury and the National Communications and Information Administration at the Commerce Department used a similar tool to break into other government agencies, according to 3 people familiar with the matter.
One person familiar with the matter said the breach was so dangerous that the White House's National Security Council called a meeting on Saturday.