Hackers targeted the US government agency tasked with securing the nuclear weapons stockpile

Hackers targeted the Department of Energy (DOE) and its National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which secures the US nuclear weapons stockpile, Politico first reported Thursday, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Bloomberg reported the security breach as well, characterizing it as part of the massive cyberattack by suspected Russian hackers that has impacted a number of federal government agencies and departments.

The US has an estimated 3,800 nuclear weapons stockpiled, according to the Federation of American Scientists. Many of these weapons were produced during the early years of the Cold War and are overseen by the NNSA, a critical mission of which is securing these stored nukes.

Networks at multiple DOE installations were reportedly affected, including at the Office of Secure Transportation, which moves nuclear materials, assembled weapons, and components.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/hackers-targeted-the-us-government-agency-tasked-with-securing-the-nuclear-weapons-stockpile/ar-BB1c1BfN?li=BBnbcA1