There is no way the OPM Director, in the two years she had
been director of OPM, with limited budget, no foreknowledge of the specific
attack, and a need to divide the security budget across all types of risks, could
have foreseen, protected against, and prevented the recent breach.
OPM was the victim of the full power of the People’s
Liberation Army cyberattack team (said in the voice of Darth Vader when he
turns the Death Star on in Empire Strikes Back).
I wish that she had included in her resignation
letter/speech something to the effect of “I submit my resignation because I
know that Congress needs a scapegoat so on one blames them for cutting our
budget, forcing us to do silly things through unfunded legislative mandates,
and expecting miracles. I willingly face
the firing squad to keep the wheels of Congress greased.”
Her D.C. career might be over, but I am sure that some doors
would open if she did.
