CNN Exclusive: FBI Says It "Contained" a Cyber ​​Incident on an Agency Computer Network

FBI seizes website of digital extortion gang 0:50

(CNN) --

The FBI has been investigating and working to contain a malicious cyber incident on a portion of its computer network in recent days, according to people briefed on the matter.

FBI officials believe the incident involved a computer system the agency uses in investigations of child sexual exploitation images, two sources briefed on the matter told CNN.

"The FBI is aware of the incident and is working to obtain additional information," the agency said in a statement to CNN.

• Is the US prepared for a cyberattack?

  This is how an expert responds

“This is an isolated incident that has already been contained.

As there is an ongoing investigation, the FBI has no further comment to provide at this time," the statement added.

FBI officials have been working to isolate the malicious cyber activity, which two of the sources said involved the FBI's New York Field Office, one of the agency's largest and highest-profile offices.

The origin of the hacking incident is still being investigated, according to a source.

advertising

The FBI, like any large government agency or corporation, has to deal with a variety of threats online.

• Senior FBI Official Warns of Threat Posed by China Hackers

In November 2021, someone used a legitimate email address that the FBI uses to communicate with state and local law enforcement and sent bogus emails to thousands of organizations about an alleged cyber threat.

The FBI said at the time that it fixed a software vulnerability related to the incident, but the agency has not been able to identify a suspect in the attack.

That episode raised concerns about the possibility of an outsider capitalizing on the FBI's role and warning the public about phantom hacking incidents that divert attention from the agency.

cyberattackFBI