US government responds to latest hack: give us more power over data collection

'Zero day' attack on high-level security clearance agency reignites push by Congressional leaders to hand federal government greater cybersecurity powers

Congressional leaders are warning the latest major government data hack proves the Senate should hand the US government greater cybersecurity powers - even as the stalled legislation to do so would place even more consumer data into the hands of the same government that could not secure its existing information.

An estimated 4 million federal employees had their personal data compromised after what was reported by authorities on Thursday to be a previously unknown software intrusion, known as a "zero day" attack, accessed networks operated by the Office of Personnel Management, the federal human resources department that houses high-level security clearances and government employee records.