In addition, Menzies contractors gained a reputation of stealing from checked bags after a few incidents in 2007.
The hacker targeted a defense contractor and gained unfettered access to the contractor's data from July-November 2016, before defense officials became aware of the breach, the government confirmed.
Experts in microbiology have advanced the theory that the culprit is a scientist, technician or contractor who gained expertise in anthrax from working in a military laboratory.
For months, Barbara Hatch Rosenberg, a microbiologist at the State University of New York who heads an arms control panel for the Federation of American Scientists, has advanced the theory that the culprit is a federal scientist, technician or contractor who gained deadly expertise from work in a military laboratory.
Military contractors' stocks gained Friday, with investors relieved the cuts were not deeper.
As the revelations by Mr. Snowden, a former N.S.A. contractor, were gaining attention in the news media, the White House and leaders in both parties stood united behind the programs he had unmasked.
Work sites are raided to steal drums of unused cable, sometimes using accomplices employed by contractors to gain access.
Under the most radical option, data could even be shared with "all bodies providing public services", which might allow private contractors to gain access to the data.
The cards permit employees and contractors to gain access to both restricted buildings and computer networks.
Much of the work was carried out by a contractor called William Hoof, who had gained a reputation as a specialist tunnelling contractor, after working on Strood Tunnel for the Thames and Medway Canal and Harecastle Tunnel on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
