Massive data breach costs federal personnel director her job

Dive Brief:

Office of Personnel Director Katherine Archuleta abruptly announced her resignation Friday afternoon, according to the AP.
Her resignation comes one day after announcing an OPM hack that resulted in the theft of more than 20 million people’s personal information.
She told President Obama that “it was best for her to step aside to let new leadership respond to the recent breaches and to improve systems to lessen risks in the future.”

Dive Insight:

Archuleta will be temporarily replaced by the agency's deputy director, Beth Cobert, who will step into the role on Saturday, according to the AP.

In a June 4 announcement, the OPM announced 4.2 million personnel files had been breached. On Thursday, it was revealed that 21.5 million federal employee information files had been stolen -- prompting lawmakers from both parties to call for her resignation.

“This change in leadership is also an acknowledgement that we cannot simply place blame on the hackers, but need to take responsibility for the protection of personal information that is so obvious a target,” said California Rep. Adam Schiff, senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.