White House Is Fearful That Recent Cyber Attacks On U.S. Financial Institutions Are Being Directed From Russia

The headquarters of JPMorgan Chase in New York.Credit Mike Segar/Reuters

Obama Had Security Fears on JPMorgan Data Breach -- New York Times

President Obama and his top national security advisers began receiving periodic briefings on the huge cyberattack at JPMorgan Chase and other financial institutions this summer, part of a new effort to keep security officials as updated on major cyberattacks as they are on Russian incursions into Ukraine or attacks by the Islamic State.

But in the JPMorgan case, according to administration officials familiar with the briefings, who would not speak on the record about intelligence matters, no one could tell the president what he most wanted to know: What was the motive of the attack? “The question kept coming back, ‘Is this plain old theft, or is Putin retaliating?’ ” one senior official said, referring to the American-led sanctions on Russia. “And the answer was: ‘We don’t know for sure.’ ”

Read more ....

My Comment: The financial system is one of our major Achilles Heels. I know that Moscow knows that .... but will they be so bold to test it in such a fashion .... considering what has happened in the past 6 months .... I would put my money on yes.

Update: And the attacks continue .... Several US banks attacked by hackers who hit Chase (AFP)