Hackers breach State Department email network, Feds suspect Russia and China

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The State Department was forced to shut down its unclassified email system after hackers successfully breached federal servers.

Although the breach is believed to have occurred in September or October, the systems were not shut down until Friday. As of Monday they remain offline.

"This has impacted some of our unclassified email traffic and our access to public websites from our main unclassified system," a senior State Department official told reporters, adding, "We expect our systems to be up and running soon."

The email breach is the fourth recent successful cyber attack on the State Department, following similar security failings at White House, U.S. Postal Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The State Department has not leveled any formal accusations, but believes the attackers are likely backed by the governments of Russia or China.

Although hackers gained access to unclassified emails, the State Department's classified communications remained safe.

"There was no compromise of any of the department's classified systems."