The FBI removed an Accenture contractor because of a data breach that exposed confidential details on many FBI employees. Certain bureau personnel have called the breach a significant hit to the FBI’s operational security. A senior FBI official told Reuters that an unidentified contractor did not properly patch the system for which they held responsibility.

FBI cyber chief Brett Leatherman said “To date, our review has determined that the incident occurred as the result of a security failure ​of a platform managed by a third-party organization — after a contractor failed to implement a security patch explicitly issued to secure the ​platform.” “As such, the FBI has removed the contractor and taken all necessary steps to both mitigate any further risk and protect our workforce.”

The FBI did not name the platform or third-party entity. However, sources privy to the matter stated that the platform was Oracle’s PeopleSoft. The latter is a human resources system that the hacking entity ShinyHunters claimed it exploited to break into the FBI’s job portal in September.

The sources revealed that the third-party entity was Accenture. The latter said it was “proud to support the mission of the FBI and will continue to do so.” ShinyHunters has had two of its members arrested as the FBI continues its investigation into the breach. The agency said it’s actively coordinating with partners to obtain and execute more leads, and stated more arrests are likely to come.

SOURCES:-

https://thehackernews.com/2026/10/fbi-removes-accenture-contractor-after.html

https://www.reuters.com/technology/accenture-contractor-removed-fbi-following-damaging-data-breach-sources-say-2026-10-06/

https://thenextweb.com/news/fbi-removes-accenture-contractor-data-breach

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/accenture-contractor-removed-from-fbi-following-damaging-data-breach-sources-say?ref=latest

https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/business/accenture-contractor-removed-from-fbi-following-damaging-data-breach-sources-say/amp_articleshow/134720470.cms