WASHINGTON — National security adviser Robert O’Brien has returned early from a trip to the Middle East and Europe to deal with the hack of U.S. government agencies, according to a National Security Council spokesperson.
O’Brien had planned to return to Washington on Saturday, but visited only Israel and France before canceling stops in Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the U.K., a person familiar with the matter said. He arrived back in the U.S. Tuesday afternoon.
U.S. government agencies were attacked as part of a global campaign orchestrated by hackers believed to be tied to the Russian government, according to another person familiar with the matter. The hackers were reported to have installed a malicious vulnerability in software from Texas-based SolarWinds Corp., whose customers include top government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
“Ambassador O’Brien is returning to address the hacking incident,” National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot said. “He is holding NSC meetings tonight and tomorrow morning and will convene a high level interagency meeting this week.”
The meetings are aimed at addressing the hacking incident that involved the departments of State, Commerce, Treasury and Homeland Security, according to a person familiar with the matter.
.jpg?w=600)
