SEC chair Gary Gensler assures no breach after X hack

U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler confirms there have been no additional breaches after an unauthorized party accessed the SEC’s X account.

In a Jan. 12 statement, Gensler assured that there is no current evidence suggesting further breaches following the unauthorized access to the SEC’s X account on Jan. 9.

The incident, which involved an unauthorized party gaining control over the SEC’s X handle, has raised significant concerns about the security of the agency’s digital infrastructure. However, Gensler, in his statement, emphasized that the breach was contained and that no other systems, data, devices, or social media accounts appear to have been compromised.

The SEC is actively evaluating the impact of this security breach, particularly its implications for other governmental agencies, as well as cryptocurrency investors and marketplaces. The incident has also sparked discussions about the safety protocols surrounding the agency’s social media handles.

In a swift response to the situation, the SEC has collaborated with various law enforcement and security agencies, including the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This multi-agency investigation aims to delve into the specifics of the breach and prevent future occurrences.

The unauthorized access, which occurred at 4:11 pm Eastern Time on Jan. 9, led to a misleading post about the SEC approving a spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF). The SEC, upon noticing the breach, reached out to X for assistance, resulting in the termination of unauthorized access between 4:40 pm and 5:30 pm ET.

Gensler reiterated that the SEC does not use X or any other social media platform to announce critical developments, a crucial reminder for stakeholders to rely on official communications from the SEC.