
Deloitte discovered the attack in March, but the hackers may have had access to the information since October or November 2016, the newspaper reported.
It is believed confidential emails and plans of Deloitte's blue-chip clients have been exposed in an attack that went unnoticed for months.
The account required only a single password and did not have "two-step" verification, sources said.
"Deloitte is one of the largest consulting firms in the world that regularly advises its clients on cybersecurity matters, including strong guidance around information governance", said Richard Stiennon, chief strategy officer of Blancco Technology Group, via email. The review of the breach is ongoing and the company is working to retrace the hacker's steps to see exactly what information was accessed.
A spokesperson for Deloitte told the Guardian that in the course of implementing "its comprehensive security protocol", it found "that no disruption has occurred to client businesses, to Deloitte's ability to continue to serve clients, or to consumers".
The auditing and consulting firm said in a statement Monday that it's now informing the clients affected and has notified governmental authorities after it became aware of the incident.
Unilever steps up beauty push with $2.7 billion Carver Korea deal
The company also saw its sales jump 174 percent on-year from 156.5 billion won in 2015 to 429.5 billion won last year. Carver Korea's AHC brand, pictured here, will be acquired by Unilever .
It is not known which government departments have been affected by the attack, and it's not clear whether this was a state-sponsored hack. "That amount is a very small fraction of the amount that has been suggested". A spokesman for the accounting firm did not immediately return a request for comment from The Hill.
"Cyber risk is more than a technology or security issue, it is a business risk", Deloitte tells potential customers on its website.
Deloitte has been the subject of the latest major cybersecurity attack, with confidential information from some of its clients reportedly compromised. "Embedding best practice cyber behaviors help our clients to minimize the impact on business". According to the Guardian, the breach has been kept under wraps since it was noticed by administrators in March. "The companies include household names as well as USA government departments", the report said.
The breached data may have included names, addresses, social insurance numbers and - in some cases - credit card numbers.
The Equifax breach was discovered in July, but those potentially affected were notified only in mid-September 2017.
Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty, former 'world's heaviest woman', dies
Eman's family said Eman had weighed 11 pounds (5 kg) at birth and suffered from thyroid problems since she was a child. At the Dubai hospital, she was to reduce her weight by over 220 pounds in order to fit onto the operating table.
WAFU Cup: Ezenwa Named Best Goalkeeper, Despite Ghana Humiliation
Ezenwa kept clean sheet in Nigeria's first four matches before poor defending exposed him to the four goals he conceded last night.
North Korea: President Trump's statements are a 'declaration of war'
The North Korean Foreign Minister had addressed the UNGA session on Saturday. Ri made the comments to reporters in NY .
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Republicans have started to throw their support behind the Graham-Cassidy measure after a slimmed-down repeal bill failed in July. Paul, who was a Trump rival for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, said he doesn't resent Trump's tweets against him.
China will restrict oil exports to North Korea
China will suspend such exports once the total exports approaches the ceiling, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. He also said, "we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea if forced to defend itself".
Man City 5-0 Crystal Palace: Manchester City Trounce Crystal Palace
Christian Benteke suffered ligament damage in Crystal Palace's 5-0 defeat to Manchester City , according to manager Roy Hodgson . Romelu Lukaku scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season to give Manchester United a hard-fought victory at Southampton.
Francia Raisa reveals scars after donating kidney to Selena Gomez
The best friend who donated her kidney to help treat Selena Gomez's lupus revealed her scars in an Instagram post on Friday. In the post, Raisa is seen wearing only a sports bra and workout trousers , which reveals her midriff and her post-op scars.
President Trump Wants a 4th of July Military Parade
Fast-forward to Monday , when Trump met with Macron in NY , and Trump was still admiring that French military parade . We must act for peace in Syria". " We want to strike a blow and block Macron ", France Unbowed's Eric Coquerel said.
Uber dispute in London mirrors deep economic, political disagreements in Britain
City officials cited Uber's use of a secret software tool called "Greyball" that the company built to avoid regulators. Mr Khan said in a Facebook (NasdaqGS: FB - news) post that he fully supported TfL's decision.
Hackers targeted 21 states during 2016 elections, US Govt reveals
Only Illinois reported that hackers had succeeded in breaching its voter systems. Arizona and IL confirmed past year that they were targets.
Everton Carabao Cup hero Calvert-Lewin 'always' in Koeman's mind
If you play for titles, or for European football, the next game is always the most important. The attacker moved to Manchester United from his homeland when he was only 16.
How to Watch Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
The hosts have a hard time climbing in the first half of the tables and are expected to find to avoid relegation this season. Aguero and Gabriel Jesus have dovetailed perfectly to form the League's most fearsome forward partnership.
North Korea: Tremor detected in north east
Ri reportedly added that "We have no idea about what actions could be taken as it will be ordered by leader Kim Jong Un". There have been so many rounds of sanctions against North Korea that it can be hard to keep track.
Stoke boss Hughes: Chelsea struggling to manage their dark arts
That will no doubt give the club a massive boost and is a relief for all fans who were initially anxious for the player. Manchester City , with 11 goals in their past two Premier League games host bottom side Crystal Palace at the Etihad.
Polls close in New Zealand's cliffhanger election
The 37-year-old was greeted like a rock star at large rallies and has generated plenty of excitement among her fans. The results were welcomed by the National Party, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office.