SEC Chair Gary Gensler confirmed that there have been no additional breaches following the unauthorized access to the SEC’s X account. In a statement on Jan. 12, Gensler reassured that current evidence shows the breach was contained, and there’s no indication of compromises to other systems, data, devices, or social media accounts.
The incident, where an unauthorized party took control of the SEC’s X handle on Jan. 9, raised concerns about the agency’s digital security. Gensler emphasized ongoing evaluations of the breach’s impact on other government agencies, cryptocurrency investors, and marketplaces. Discussions about safety protocols for the SEC’s social media handles have also ensued.
Responding swiftly, the SEC collaborated with law enforcement, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Their joint investigation aims to understand the breach specifics and prevent future incidents.
The unauthorized access at 4:11 pm ET on Jan. 9 led to a false post about the SEC approving a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund. The SEC promptly sought assistance from X, terminating unauthorized access between 4:40 pm and 5:30 pm ET.
Gensler reiterated that the SEC doesn’t use X or any social media platform for critical announcements, emphasizing the importance of relying on official communications from the SEC.
