Watch CBS News

Hired Hackers Gain Access To Colo. State Computers

DENVER (AP) - An audit of Colorado's state computers shows they're at "high risk" of an online attack.

The Denver Post reports that a firm hired to hack into the computers to test them gained access to thousands of records containing personal information including Social Security numbers, birth dates and income levels.

The audit was conducted between February and November and state lawmakers were briefed on it Monday. Part of the meeting was held behind closed doors because of the sensitivity of what the hackers found.

The governor's information technology office says steps have already been taken to fix the problems. However, chief of staff Dara Hessee says an adequate cyber-security plan would cost $40 million, 100 times the office's current budget.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.