Get All Access for $5/mo

United States Postal Service Reports Possible Breach The hack may have compromised more than 800,000 employees' personal data, including Social Security numbers.

By Laura Entis

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Leonard Zhukovsky | Shutterstock

The United States Postal Service is the latest victim in a long list of organizations to have recently experienced a data breach, saying it believes more than 800,000 employees' personal data – including Social Security numbers, names, dates of birth, addresses among other information – may have been compromised, the Washington Post reports.

Customer credit-card data from postal offices or online purchases is said not to be at risk.

The FBI first alerted the USPS of a possible breach back in mid-September. While the organization began dealing with the repercussions of the attack immediately, remediation did not take place until now as "acting too quickly could have caused more data to be compromised," David Partenheimer, a USPS spokesperson, told the Washington Post.

While agency did not say who was behind the breach, the Washington Post speculates that Chinese government hackers may be to blame.

Related: Home Depot Reports Bigger Breach Than Target; Criminals Used Custom Malware

Laura Entis is a reporter for Fortune.com's Venture section.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

He Started a Business That Surpassed $100 Million in Under 3 Years: 'Consistent Revenue Right Out of the Gate'

Ryan Close, founder and CEO of Bartesian, had run a few small businesses on the side — but none of them excited him as much as the idea for a home cocktail machine.

Business Solutions

Get Down to Business with Lifetime Access to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac for 70% Off

Unlock essential Office tools with a one-time purchase — ideal for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to streamline their workflow.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Looking for a Remote Job? Here Are the Most In-Demand Skills to Have on Your Resume, According to Employers.

Employers are looking for interpersonal skills like teamwork as well as specific coding skills.

Franchise

The Top 10 Coffee Franchises in 2024

From a classic cup of joe to a creamy latte, grab your favorite mug and get ready to brew up success with the best coffee franchises.

Business News

'Do You Sell Cars?': Tesla CEO Elon Musk Trolls Jaguar Rebrand on X

The team running Jaguar's X account was working hard on social media this week.