https://www.fedscoop.com/rd-contractor-for-national-nuclear-security-administration-investigates-cyberattack/
A research and development (R&D) consultancy firm that works with the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is investigating a cyber breach.
In a statement to this publication, Sol Oriens said it had appointed a technology forensics firm to investigate the incident, and that law enforcement agencies had been informed. The company became aware of the breach last month.
Sol Oriens is a New Mexico-headquartered consulting company that provides services to federal government agencies including program management, technology management, weapons R&D and product engineering.
“Upon detecting suspicious activity within our network environment, our IT professionals immediately secured the system and we quickly recovered priority company systems.
“The investigation is ongoing, but we recently determined that an unauthorized individual acquired certain documents from our systems. Those documents are currently under review, and we are working with a third-party technological forensic firm to determine the scope of potential data that may have been involved,” a spokesperson for the contractor said.
The NNSA helps to manage the safety of the U.S.’s nuclear stockpile and is a semi-autonomous agency within the DOE, according to its website. It works closely with the Department of Defense and national labs on nuclear safety and use, including nuclear propulsion in the Navy and the country’s emergency response to nuclear incidents.